net-a-porter

Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live

by cecylia on March 28, 2011

MLY Black Label silk dress/vintage themometer/vintage bracelets/Melissa flats/Chloe heels/Valentino sunnies/vintage horn

Hi everyone! Did you all have a beautiful weekend? Mine was pretty action-packed, the highlight was watching a breathtakingly beautiful photoshoot with Finessence Photoraphy for Madame Virtue & Co. Don’t worry, I will share in a later post about it all! :)

This post is dedicated to 3 amazing pieces I own but have never ever worn – the dress, the belt and the heels.

I’ve wanted to take out this sheer silk maxi out for a spin for ages. You would have seen it on Lindy Klim in this post. Got it from a dear designer friend- Lyndel Yeo, who is both a talented photographer and fashion designer, check out some of her work here. This dress can be worn as a skirt as well. And the best bit? It’s made in Australia!

I’ve had this big round themometer for over a decade and every time I see it I envision it as a belt so I finally dusted it and wore it. It reminds me of the watch Kirrily Johnston used for her SS 09 collection.

The bondage stilettos by Chloe were a splurge from Net-a-Porter a few years ago. The heel is so thin I was so scared I was going to sink into the grass. Cannot wait to wear them to a party or gallery opening :)

Ok so the gold horn deserves special mention too- I’ve had it for years as decoration and have come so close to giving it away but glad I didn’t! Who knew it can double as a necklace and a head-piece, with a Viking-twist!

I chose this cemetery backdrop to remind us that we are only temporary residents on this earth, so let’s laugh as much as we breathe, and love as long as we live.

I love you.

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Further reductions in our International sale. Enjoy up to 70% off NET-A-PORTER.COM

I Got You Because I was Vulnerable

by cecylia on February 23, 2011

Just when I’ve vowed not to buy another pair of shoes, in this post, temptation strikes.

I’m going to tell you about the worst day I’ve had ever, in 2011.

I visited one of my favourite boutiques a while back- Christine, to wish her ‘Happy New Year’. For those who know me, or have read my posts about this amazing lady, you know just how much love, admiration and respect I hold for her. I’ve never revealed in my previous posts about the abuse she has given me in return. But this was the third time…the final straw.

As I admired her collections, encouraged fellow shoppers to ‘get those shoes’ and contemplated about which bag to buy my mom, Christine came up to me, red-faced and all, and said ‘I’m going to have to ask you to leave, I don’t feel comfortable with other competitors in my shop.’

Feeling misunderstood, hurt and rejected, I could only pray to ask God for strength and forgiveness. I don’t hold anything against Christine, but I won’t visit her boutique again, upon her request.

I turned to visit Miss Louise, a darling shoe boutique I’ve only read about in magazines but have never set foot in, for it is a dangerous place, indeed. Not only have they got the best range of designer footwear and bags, they also have a very talented team of very pushy sales assistants. After trying on 3 pairs of shoes, they tried every possible way (including asking me rather patronising questions and telling me to ignore the opinions of my husband) to get me to buy all 3 pairs, then 2…As I clung tightly to my poor credit card and what was left of my self-respect, I finally managed to escape from their emotional grasp with one shoe box containing patent caramel YSL heels.

So did retail therapy work? I felt more guilty after I bought these shoes. Despite them being comfortable, beautiful and practical shoes, I recently just wrote a post about not buying any shoes in 2011. So what resulted from the day was a broken promise and 2 shops to add to the never-visit list.

As I held back the tears that were dying to escape my eye sockets, I’m grateful that our boutique is well known for its welcoming and down-to-earth non-pushy attitude. And we always respect husbands’ opinions.

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Stair-casing Le Procope

by cecylia on November 1, 2010

Le Procope is the oldest restaurant cafe in the world. It was founded in 1686 and has served distinguished guests like Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin and even Napoleon. Before he became the commanding general he came to eat at Le Procope but could not pay for his meal so he left his hat at the restaurant as ransom. But Napoleon never came back for his hat and so it is still on display at the restaurant.

Le Procope is one of my favourite restaurants in Paris. The first time I went there 2 years ago they served a different wine for every course. It was amazing. You should see the post about it here (I was wearing a vintage jumpsuit on these same stairs)

6 months ago I visited Le Procope, I got really bad food poisoning from the ‘Special Fish’ dish. I ended up being bed-ridden for 3 days. I threw up at Laduree, scared away French ladies and missed some buying appointments. I highly not recommend eating fish in winter months in Paris.

Believe it or not, this time I decided to give Le Procope another chance, yes I am a very forgiving woman. The taking-photos on the stairs has now become an obsession. I have a photo on the stairs every time I visit Le Procope, mainly to pass boredom whilst we wait for a vacancy for a dinner booking.

October 2010- See by Chloe dress from Net-a-Porter, vintage belt from Milan market, Jil Sander sandals from Milan.

March 2010- vintage cape and fur, MaxMara pants, vintage boots, Country Road gloves, Salvador Dali lips brooch and Gucci clutch

Every time we dine here we have oysters…they’re huge! Actually I always have 3 courses every time we dine out in Paris. It motivates me to walk more…

I stayed away from fish this time…and had ‘Calf’s head casserole’. It is an old fashioned dish…yes I am very brave. Even the waitress who served me the ‘head’ admitted that she’s never tried it. I offered her some from my plate but she turned down my generosity.

And the best dessert dish there? The mixed sorbet plate, from clockwise- strawberry, mango (tastes like a real frozen mango), raspberry, lemon and vanilla bean. Delicious! I’d come just to eat these scoops next time. My 3rd time at Le Procope has somehow offset my previous traumatic experience there. It will always be one of my favourite restaurants to visit when I’m in Paris.

Perhaps you’re wondering why anyone would visit the place that caused them nightmarish gastro…I had the privilege to attend a church service in Paris before heading to Le Procope at the Luxembourg Church, near the Gardens. It was an English-speaking service and the sermon was much needed for my ears and my soul. It was about covenant and forgiveness. I was so filled with joy and peace I think that’s why I had the courage to dine at Le Procope again. And I’m glad I did.

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Learning to Pose

by cecylia on August 21, 2010

I see my blogger friends’ take such amazing photos- they all dress well and they all pose well! When I re-evaluate my blog posts, I realise that my poses are so ordinary. For some reason, I freeze in front of the camera. I tend to only be myself when there’s hip hop music around :)

I’ve been really inspired by my beautiful friend Jess’ blog to try and improve my poses…so here are a few…of course any excuse to show off my blue patent Pauric Sweeney bag…

This is the ‘Shopping-Lady’ look, tote on wrist, hips forward and a nonchalant smile.

This is the ‘Wind-in-my-hair’ look – my fringe is also doubling as an eye patch. AARRGGHH!

This is the ‘I-finally-loosened-up-a-little’ look, or the ‘Shopping-lady’ look crossed with ‘I-just-found-some-serious-loot’ look.

Here’s a close-up of my beloved bag. Yes, you can perve all you like. You can find more Pauric Sweeney bags on sale at The Outnet, Net-a-Porter, Luisaviaroma or at Christine. I love the Irish architect-turned designer’s unique designs. The patent leather on this bag is unbelievably soft.

This is the ‘I’m-a-rebel’ look , standing next to a ‘No Standing’ sign. I’m wearing a vintage nude blouse, vintage gold brass belt, Tibi silk skirt (from The Outnet), Omero tights from Cecylia, Felder Felder cardigan/jacket, Pauric Sweeney bag, vintage patent leather heels and velvet scarf gifted by the lovely Evane.

The Tibi (one of the hottest contemporary US labels founded by Amy Smilovic) skirt deserves special mention. They are actually too big, surprise surprise, it’s from the Outnet, after all. I love it nevertheless as it has shorts underneath so I can run, jump and dance in them without hindrance!