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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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It does matter if it’s black and white

by cecylia on December 3, 2009

Ok, you’ve got to admit, everyone likes wearing black and white. We do it so often we don’t even realise it sometimes. Long gone are the days where only musicians, grooms and chefs dress in penguin colours. Black and white attire is so common and popular, I actually find it a little bit of a drag to gaze upon someone wearing a white skirt and black pants or skirt. In our modern day and age, we can be more creative with these shades. Think outside the black and white square. Here are some stylish women who whimsically display their affection for the colours and inspire you and I to wear black and white more, in a nouveau way.

I don’t know which caught my eyes first- her beautiful stripey dress (it is rare to see both horizontal and vertical stripes in the same garment) or her red doctors bag. Picture taken by The Sartorialist. I love her 2 tone Oxford shoes as well. What a lovely balcony.

An off-duty model taking advantage of her Chanel dress and black patent accessories. The dress has gorgeous Renaissance detailingI love the little bow at her neck and the hemline. Karl Lagerfeld is a genius. Check out the ladies checking her out.

Karla of Karla’s Closet – I follow her blog on BlogLovin’ and she never disappoints with her outfits. Always beautiful in her photographs, she combines vintage and desinger gear with such applomb. Love the gold-rimmed Ray-bans and the black and white checkered leather mini. I want I want!

Only a great figure like hers can carry off a white body-con dress. Ladies. if you are not a size6, don’t try this at home- wear the black version instead. This lady wears it with such ease and confidence, I would have applauded her if I saw her on the street. And I absolutely adore her cutout wedges.

So stylish. I think every girl needs a black and white ruffled dress- this dress easily transitions you from day to night, from office to party, from season to season. The shirt collar adds formalitry while the ruffles scream fun and frivolrity.Just add killer black accessories.

I remember giving this girl the thumbs up when I commented on her look on Elle Street Chic. I think I was the only one. Everyone else thought her back-to-front look was strange. But she has a great figure, so I applauded her originality. Plus, those white and black towering wedges are simply stunning. I want I want!

This is a distinctive Sass & Bide look- maybe you can only recognize the Black Rats leggings. This is one of my favourite looks, a cute black mini with black leggings and a tuxedo jacket. The beauty of this outfit is that you look edgy and smart and the white jacket adds an unexpected touch to the all-black-ensemble most people would have opted.

I don’t know where to begin – I love everything she’s got on. The jacket and skirt is a great pair, fantastic detailing! I adore her strappy booties. They are Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony boots! I like how she kept her her tousled and legs crossed- a great shot!

If you don’t know what to wear to fashion week, just borrow a few black and white style tips from these fashionistas.

Vicki’s Wedding

by cecylia on November 28, 2009

Reading 1 Corinthians 13

On November 7th, I attended a good friend’s wedding. Vicki and I grew up together and known each other since we were teenagers. She is a statuesque beauty and of course, looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day. I was invited to read the scriptures on at her wedding ceremony. ‘Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking…’ in Chinese. Thank God I did not fall flat on my face as I walked up to the podium and thankfully did not forget my limited Mandarin.

Stunning Bride

Vicki’s dress was tailor-made for her. It was actually made from 2 dresses. She chose the bodice from one gown and the other half from another and the clever seamstresses joined them together. This photo doesn’t really do her justice. She has the best figure an Asian girl could dream of and I am not kidding.

Not just pretty faces

Our good friends (also sisters) were the bridesmaids, dressed in Vicki’s favourite colour. They sang a lovely song for the bride and groom.

I love birds!

Her reception was at the Manningham art gallery. I could not resist having photos with the fruit of some local talent. You are probably wondering what I am wearing- beige one-shoudler Country Road dress. Vintage gold leaf and gold multi-strand beaded necklaces, vintage Brazilian 3 tone sandals in patent leather, vintage red velvet clutch and Pinkie!

I must tell you a little testimony about Pinkie. In the early hours of the next morning, I got home and realized that Pinkie was not on my finger nor in my clutch (where she rested whilst I danced my heels off). I was devastated to lose my beloved cocktail snail ring! My first reaction was to ask God for mercy- to help me overcome my sadness over the loss of a little ring. To my surprise, God not only filled my heart with joy so I could sleep soundly that night, He restored Pinkie to me the next day! One of Vicki’s groomsmen found Pinkie near our table and gave it to her. I was overjoyed for the return of my ‘prodigal’ ring. Praise God!

I love these porcelain statues and the cute dog paintings. The little porcelain trinkets are actually just placed in the silver bowls, they are not stuck together. What a feast for our eyes!

This young girl reminds me of the eponymous Skipping Girl (vinegar company). Look! She’s wearing Roman sandals!

Kimmy and I

I had to post this photo of Kimmy and I. I adore her white chiffon tunic dress. Simple and elegant.

Mommy and I

And here is the lady who started my affair with fashion and all things arty and nice- my Mom. She cultivated my love of art from a tender age. Mom and I used to do my art assignments together in primary school. She used to ride the bicycle with me sitting on the back to school every day ( since I can’t ride a bike). Too bad I never inherited my mom’s beauty genes (she was ravishing when she was young), but I thank God that I have such an awesome Mom.

Vicki fed us lobsters along with a 6 course seafood banquet. She arrived at her wedding in a black stretch Hummer and left in a white one. It sure was a wedding to be remembered. Many wishes of joy, love and peace to the newly weds. ‘Love never fails’

Ebay Lust-haves (Designer Version)

by cecylia on August 20, 2009

Everyone loves a bargain and hence Ebay is such a popular place to shop. You can find just about anything your heart desires- designer wear is usually quite heavily reduced on the Internet and hence there are many stylish women sitting behind a computer, browsing through millions of gorgeous garments. However, if many fashionistas all have their hearts set on the item you want, then you have to bid even higher to get what your heart longs for. Sometimes, this is not practical…

Recently, I discovered some beautiful (and expensive) things on Ebay, however I could only look but not touch.

Every lady needs a pair of elegant and timeless heels from Salvatore Ferragamo. I already own a black patent pair. They are leather inside out and are so chic. I have baby-sat two puppies who shared similar taste in shoes as I and they managed to each chew the bows on my shoes. My Ferragamos are still wearable but they look grungy now…hence my gaze drifted to Ebay to replenish them. These minty flats are very cute, but I do not think they are genuine…

Jimmy Choo is the ultimate accessories luxury brand. Everyone wants to own a pair to strut their stuff around in. I found a sweet Jimmy Choo bag on Ebay. This bi-zipped tote is quite wearble and the leather looks buttery-soft. The starting price was already sky-high though.

These shiny Sergio Rossi brogues are incredible! You could almost admire your reflection in them! I would wear them with skinny jeans and a boyfriend blazer. They are a fantastic shade and I love it how the laces are in the same colour- metallic peach =)

Now this YSL bag is to die for. It is from the current collection. It is modern version of the Hermes Birkin and in my favourite colour! This carry-all would be seen on the wrists of first-ladies as well as on women who like function and style. You can imagine how many bids this bag had…the winning bidder is certainly one lucky lady.

I am sure that most Ebay-oholics have Christian Louboutinson their lust short-list, who does not love the red-lacquered soles! I saw these cute patent tuxedo style heels recently. Even though they are super hip ( love those tussle laces) and they seem to come in a genuine shoe bag and the box, I just do not trust Internet sellers sometimes… They just look a little too shiny and did you notice that the heels of these shoes are not shown? If they are genuine and I was the seller ( I would not be selling them), I would take photos of the soles!

I have been heavily influenced by the youngest and richest fashion blogger Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes. She owns 3 pairs of these Ann Demeulmeester lace boots- ion white, tan and black. I saw the black version on American Ebay. I was very tempted…however because I think it may be dangerous to purchase expensive shoes without trying them on first. I tried finding them in shops around Melbourne, but I had little success. They are a show piece and will forever be in my memory.

patent

I Got You Because I was Vulnerable

It does matter if it’s black and white

Vicki’s Wedding

Ebay Lust-haves (Designer Version)

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