kaboom

Can you believe that summer is going to end in.. 2 days? What a crappy summer we've had in Sydney this year. I'm glad that there's no cyclone this year though - happy that bananas are not going to be priced at $12 per kg anytime soon! I'm also glad that I didnt buy any new swimmers this season as I've only gone to the beach twice this summer (yeah it's that bad).

Mostly A.P.C. Will be very nice if I can afford them but at my budget, spending $300 on a cardi seems a bit (a lot) much. I think I'm just gonna go for a mid range ones ie Country Road (I heard they're decent). I already have most of the above :

• cardis in mustard, red, and grey, all zara- I find their $30 cardis really good. I've had my red one for 6 months or more now and it looks as good as new.
• my wittner thigh boots.
• Trench coat from 2 years ago (TEMT $50!! such good value.)
• I have a white pussybow blouse from ASOS but would like to buy more of them. in other colours preferably. maybe black...
• Denims - I'm not really the biggest fan. I only have 2 pairs, both Sass and Bide, one is a lighter wash skinny and the other is boyfriend fit, darker wash. I think I won't buy any jeans for a while. I'll probably buy a black jeans from Cheap Monday or something, if they have good deals, but I am a bit reluctant because they fade like shiz.

Now the only things that I can buy:

• Blue pencil skirt
• Red skirt.. in pencil or skater.
• Black leather look skirt.
• ankle boots- preferably Isabel Marant-esque. The real one are gorgeous but I've found many similar looking boots thats 1/5 of its price, so I guess I'm going to just buy the copy. I'm sure the quality if the IM boots wont be that much better.
• Maybe a watch. I'm liking this Michael Kors Rose Gold watch but they are sold out everywhere.

and that's all I can buy throughout autumn.

Anyway... I moved from my dodgy little room in our (me+cousin+his gf and some other apartment mates) apartment to a not-so-dodgy, nicer bedroom. so YAY! Though during the move I realize that I still have a crap load of stuff even after my ruthless cull last monday, which gave Vinnies some good 2 trash bag full of clothes... I'll do another cull maybe next week... but I don't know where to start because I love them all.

anyway enough of the rambles here- I should do something productive now... like looking for a new job or something... but considering the recent contraction of jobs in my field I'm not hoping for much. Its not like I'm desperately looking... I don't mind my job but don't love it.. you know the feeling. I'm much busier than a year ago when I just started but I find myself still craving for more challenges.

Ok now I'm really going. taaaaaaaaa xxxxxx

journal journal

1. Real summer.. oh I miss you so
2. Sunrise on a Plane... I dont miss plane trips but I'm planning to go to the US early next year. Therefore.. saving mode:on
3. My favourite outfit of the week
4. Wooloomooloo from my Sydney Tower date with the mr few weeks ago. This city is just so gorgeous.......
5. Whimsical jellyfishes from my date at Sydney Aquarium
6. Nemo and friends- I wish I live underwater

Nothing much is happening this week. just work. I didn't spend my valentines doing any fancy stuff with the mr. But I'm meeting him today which is awesome.

I have been eating so much crap lately (mie goreng for lunch in almost daily basis .. sigh) I really should go back to my normal stuff.

anyway RIP whitney and other people that pass away on the same day.

xxxxx

this song is ringing in my head

My body balance instructor have this but it was a cover by a dude- anyone know whose version is that? Leona lewis' one is awesome too though. I realize yesterday that she kind of look like Megan Gale.

Or may be not????????????????

well anyway. Happy valentine's day -1 everyone. I'm going to just chill at home and watch one of my favourite romantic movie:

ciao! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

on to minimalism

So, as I have mentioned (I think) I am a member of the awesome Vogue forum. In the past few months I have been stalking a few threads, from ones that are comedic gold (Fashion grrs, bad service, customers from hell..) to thought provoking ones (current affairs in general). One of my favourite one is the 'shopping ban' thread, and after reading to other threads etc I discovered something called......

minimalist living.

as in, living without clutter in general - less clothes, less items, less toxic friend, less clutter. and plus points- less waste means that you are more environmentally friendly, and also you will contribute less to the sweat shop industry. Think about all those poor people, or even kids!

I like the idea of minimalism.

at first it was because my wardrobe is already in the verge of exploding and then I realize... most of what is inside haven't been worn in the past 3 months! I think I only have about 20 items or so that I use frequently (not including gym and house clothes). and shoes.. well, I have about 20 or more shoes and the only one I use almost everyday is my gym shoes for travel to work & gym after, plus a black pump that I keep at work. Other than that it is sitting sadly in my closet.

sigh.

I really should do a mega harsh cull to my wardrobe. I have appointed next sunday to do it, hopefully I have the guts to chuck away all that oh-so-pretty things that I never wear.

I would really like to be those minimalist-clothing kind of girl, like dead fleurette for example, and wear/have only good quality basics that would last long even if they are on high rotation.

It is going to be a big ass hassle to revamp my wardrobe.

One of the thing that's a problem for me is that, minimalism clothing is not really my style. I dont even think that it will suit me, because I just dont have the look. for example, one of the most used example of awesome basic that everyone have is THE loose-but not so loose white shirt.

I tried some of these white shirts on my mission-to-find-the-perfect white shirt, but they are usually too long, too white, too tight, too loose, shit in quality and overpriced. and most of the time I look like I'm going to work with it. I'm still on the pursue for the most awesome white shirt ever though........

Now the slouchy jumper. I look weird on them too. I'm quite petite so most of them makes me look bulky& look like I'm wearing a blanket.

and also, I love them colours and florals. I don't think I can go outside my without a dash of colour or pretty flowers on me.

There. enough of the rant, now, I think I can sloooowly get into the 'having-less-things' mode.

I guess I can start from the very basic of all basic- the white/black tee. I'd really like to buy a good black/white t-shirt like from A.Wang or Bassike, but they are so expensive considering you can buy a good one from Supre for 10 bucks. You know when you have a white clothes and you wash them a lot- they will be a bit yellowish eventually, and black will fade easily... I wonder if these good brands actually live up to their price. I don't want to spend $80 for a tshirt that will die in 5 wash like Supre. I might as well buy the cheaper ones. If any readers have any experience with T by A. Wang or Bassike or other brands, can you advise and share your experience pleaseeeee? are they really worth it?

I don't think I'll buy any nice clothes soon as I am planning to well, do the cull first, and also move back to the North Shore. So in the attempt of slowing down my purchases and save and have less, I pledge:

1. To go to gym more often. the gym is your gym, not westfield. I was one of the girls who says 'shopping is my cardio...'

2. When you actually buy something, call the bf and ask his help to talk you out of it. until you get out of the store. (works for me)

3. DO NOT LET THE SALE TEMPT YOU

4. Study instead of going shopping

5. Be super mega CRITICAL, don't buy stuff you're not gonna wear at least once a week (do you really need those floral jackets at zara? the pastel green dress? think about the fabric. is it polyester? you hate 100% polyester. thats enough reason not to buy it)

anyway. Please excuse the poor writing skills - I figured that I'll just write the way I'll speak instead of the 'trying to write an article'. and also here's some recent instagram pic to make this post prettier:

1. outfit of the week- have worn this 2x to work 2. dinner at House thai near central.. the BTS desert is TO DIE FOR 3. my bro in Balangan beach, Bali, december 11 4. Coogee beach last weekend, so packed. huge tide.

have fun on your weekends xx

Happy chinese new year

Ahoi! Happy Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fat Cai for anyone celebrating.

I didn't really celebrate it this year though. I did go to my aunts yesterday night for to pray for my late grandma, grandpa and uncle, as well as having a BBQ feast (not your typical lunar new year feast no?). I wish I could go back to 2-3 years ago, celebrate the new year properly, eat my grandma's ba kut soup and rip my auntie and om's off by asking for ang pao. can't believe that 2 years has passed since my grandma passed away... the last time I spoke to her was on the phone in chinese new years day. and then she fell sick, out of nowhere, and passed away. I was so sad that day.. but oh well life goes on.. I'm sure she's happy up there with my grandpa.

Anyway I bought this Rhodes & Beckett corporate shirt for work on sale to $84.. love it. Even though it kind of looks like Westpac's uniform. Their fabric is just divine... so smooth. I'd really like to buy their white shirts but they are never on sale. Not sure if I would spend a nice $160 for a single shirt. thats quite some kaching kaching.

and the rest of my week, according to instagram:

1.Cool dog is cooler than you

2. Still keen to try this. Wicked wings are THE bomb, bro.

3. dinner. half (!!!!) a chook and vegetables. didnt realize how big it is until its on my plate

4. My bling ninewest flats is falling apart....

5. bright lipstick at work. its Coco Rouge Gabrielle, by Chanel of course.

6. Had this lunch for the whole week. chicken wrap with nectarines (I love nectarines)

7. favourite magazine ever.

8. One of my outfits...

9. I go past this place everyday. I wish I live in one of those houses!! love Sydney.

10. The damn candy bar at work. mondays are especially evil. We have cheesecake and cup cakes today. (good bye healthy diet.. for today)

Cannot believe that another week have blitzed pass. Theres still many things I want to achieve.. but just havent been productive enough. I should do a Hewitt style COME ON!!!!! to myself.

^just like that. Speaking of which, he's playing Djokovic tonight. Going to be awesome. Not too sure what's with all the hate to him. yes his Come On and the stupid hand gesture makes me want to throw my shoe at him, but I admire his fire at the court. Tonight's match is going to be tough for him, chances are slim and I believe theres 90% chance that Djokovic is going to whoop his ass back to Bahamas. I hope hewitt wins though, I love underdogs :)

instagram

........ I am addicted. I check it more than facebook and twitter combined these days and posts the most mundane stuff there. the app does make ANY picture nicer....

1. Copenhagen ice cream @Circular Quay on a sunny day

2,6 I love pretty PJ pants. So long ugly house clothes!

3,4 Outfits. as you can see I love polkadots. They're different dresses- 3 is Topshop and 4 is Valleygirl.

5. Lunch at Menya Oiden- I got this beef bowl with soft boiled gooooey egg, a takoyaki, and green tea mousse for dessert whilst the boy got beef bowl with pork katsu- all these for $18.90!! can't complain. It was quite yummy as well.

6. This one is made by BeFunky app. Yesterday was a weird weather day, it was rainy once and then hot and sticky next. I wasnt sure what to wear so I just wear stripes. Gotta love having reliable basics (despite of the above photo makes me look pregnant. but whatever.)

Speaking of basics! I went around with the boy on sat to have lunch and went to INCU for the boy to shamelessly try on A.P.C jeans (and buy them online for cheaper, of course duh). He is mad about raw jeans at the moment- he already have 2 (or 3???) nudies in the exact.same.model and still would like more. He kept yapping about how he can customise it to have creases, marks, etc blah blah things that I don't understand as they all look the same to me.

Are raw jeans just a male thing or is it me that's so off the trend that I dont even care if they are raw or not? A cousin of mine bought a Tsubi last year,not sure if its raw or not and she said she loves it as if its her own baby. I have no idea. Looks just like normal denim jeans to me. As for me, I only have 2 pairs of Sass and Bide, one slouchy boyfriend fit and one skinny. I dont wear it often so I really dont have any lovey dovey feeling towards my jeans. Though I have to admit that they are damn comfortable especially when you have worn it & haven't washed it for weeks.

So as he tries his dear jeans, I went to women's INCU, saw some A.P.C goodies on sale, and fell in love too. The fabric! The cut! The cashmere cardis. In Carrie Bradshaw's words, its CASHMERE-acle!

The Liquette dress is beautiful. Its tres chic and elegant even though its so simple. Its probably because of the 'price effect', but still. INCU have it on sale for $240, which is actually quite a good deal considering the APC website itself is selling it for around $220 (+shipping). Its so tempting but the thoughts of having the originally $400+ dress crammed in a jammed wardrobe full of $50 dresses are just.. unfair. for the dress and for my wallet. So I left the store, sad because I dont have the dress, but happy because I get to keep my $240.

I also had a look at their Dion Lee goodies as well.. and of course I love them. SIGH.

The bf left the store without a jeans, which is good, but still a burning desire to own one A.P.C raw denim.

So there goes my weekend. Weather is not looking good here in Sydney. Maybe Rhys should come out and sing that Hot Summer song again so that the weather gets better.

Hows your weekend??? xxx

PS my instagram id is frauelize (here)

2012 goals

One of my 2012 resolutions is to enjoy life and document it more. and what better way is there to do so other than 'le blogging'? I have had many blogs before that I fail to upkeep, and this year, I swear, I plan to blog at least twice a week. I'd also like to do some outfit posts (still figuring out how to take pictures in the morning using my camera.. for some reason I can't change its timer from 3 sec to 10 sec.. 3 sec is not enough for me to pose duh..) and make the blog as me as possible.

Anyways. So I am now just back into the adult reality.. back to work and stuff.. from a 1 month holiday in my home country (and 3 days recovering from jet lag). My holiday was really good despite of the sickness and rain and traffic and polution, which are expected. Meeting and catching up with family and all friends is always good isn't it. the worst part of my holiday is of course the goodbyes.. it doesn't get any easier even when I've lived far away from my parents for more than 4 years now. I of course get the mini-few hours episode of being depressed and sad to know that I'm alone again in another country.. but after a shaky flight and a few good sleeps, I think I'm coping well with coming back to 'real life'.

I didn't shop as much as I have expected when I was in Indonesia, though my boy did (tailored suits, shirts, men shoes are so much cheaper there.. women's clothing are not that much cheaper). I do think that I shop ENOUGH, and imposed a shopping ban for myself once I landed in Sydney, BUT ASOS, well they screw it all. I 'accidentally' bought the following :D

Asos PETITE Exclusive High Waist pants

ASOS Petite Tuxedo jumpsuit with ruffle details
(Gonna look so good with my Jeffrey Campbell wedges)

ASOS Petite Lace Pencil Skirt

ASOS Petite Lace knicker shorts
(Planning to wear this with slouchy black tees)

Motel Leopard Pencil Skirt

ASOS Cotton pussybow blouse
(bought AU 10 by accident, hopefully its not too big! I look forward for this item the most)

Voguettes have been raving about their delivery lately (4 days I heard) so hoping to get these items really soon! I also bought this Pinnochio wedges from Wittner yesterday for $60

I have been looking for a brown wedges for ages and this one is perrrrrrfectttt. I also really want this red pumps but I didn't get it because they don't have my size in store yesterday :(

Going to look around on the weekends.. if I find it on my size then, well, God of Shoes must want me to have this baby!! though I really shouldn't.. my attempts to follow my shopping ban is laughable... I swear I'm not gonna shop again from February!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SAVINGS HERE I COMEEEE

have a great friday folks........ xxxxxxxxxxxx