New Years 2010

It’s the new years and it ain’t too late to make changes in life.

My new year resolutions are:

1. Be clutter free

2. Buy only investment pieces

I’m such a hoader. I love to keep letters, clothes, books; the list just goes on forever. I mean how can anyone bear to throw away letters from old friends! Memories are at stake!

But in year 2010, I strive to be clutter free.

It sounds insane, but my ideal is to go minimalistic.

So far I have done a good job at managing my cupboard - after 1 year of hard work giving or selling my clothes. I have also downsized my collections of memories by keeping letters and cards only from people that really mattered.

On to my second resolution.

I love to dress up. And I love to buy pretty things. But buying too many little pretty things can be damaging to the wallet.

So in this new year, I aim to buy things that will last me for 10 years.

First up my list, I should quit buying costume jewelry - but how can anyone resist buying pretty little things that only cost $6! Such conflict of interest.

Next up my list, no more impulsive buying of clothes. Given 10 years worth of shopping experience, it has occured to me that I subscribe to brand loyalty. I should just stick to buying quality clothes from my favourite brands and not look at anything else.

Having said that, I truly recommend people to only buy leather shoes - chuck that PU or PVC shoes away please - for the sake of your feet’s health. I also give my thumbs up to investing in a Chanel bag - it will last you forever.

And if all fails, just buy gold.

So cheers to the new year, and I hope you’ll keep up with fulfilling all your new year resolution as I keep mine in check.

Alvin & The ChipMunks

(It’s Alvin and the Chipmunks! I’m wearing H & M Hello Kitty top, ruffle skirt, tights, Chanel shoes, Aldo ring - which grrr after 3 days tarnished, and my studded bag.)

Forgive my uncropped photographs for the next few weeks to come. My new lappy of 5 months decided to give way to me a day back; currently mending my friendship with my 5 year old lappy - ain’t going to pressurise her into giving me top speed.

At least, I’m glad this trusty ol’ friend of 5 years ain’t grumbling about me abandoning it.

Well, there goes my one week worth of Christmas partying. Meeting up with beloved friends each and every day. Only resting on Sunday - after my left eye kept twitching - exhaustion.

Today, was my last day of my Christmas cookies giving. It’s amazing how I met up with 2 groups of church friends; we were watching the same show, in the same cinema, at the same time. Wow.

Embracing the year 2010. It’s going to be an interesting year ahead.

Happy 10000

As my blog celebrates its 16th month anniversary, I’m thankful for having 10000 folks visit my blog. What a milestone I must say. Thanks everyone!

I started blogging randomly with no focal point; but a year later, I got hooked on rambling about fashion and all things girly.

Even as year 2009 comes to a close, I wish that in 2010 I have more time to blog about my travels and my other love, Chanel.

So cheers to the 10000 and cheers to 2010!

Blessed Christmas!

It’s Christmas today.

This festive day holds a special place in my heart.

I’ll always look forward to the day I can really celebrate a white Christmas.

But till then, I’m full of joy and hope for what is to come.

Falling all over in love with Jesus again and again.

Merry Christmas folks!

Christmas with Dawn and May

So I met up with two girlfriends for a get together. We pigged out at Sushi Tei - Otoro as a treat.

I’m a brunette now! Took me 5 hours to get it.

We had much fun snapping photos of ourselves. I only do such things when I’m around these girlies. My other friends won’t have me acting cute and trying to pretend to be half my age.

But it was really really fun!

Thereafter, Dawn and I hopped to the Doulos to scout round their bookshop. The Doulos is the world’s largest floating bookshop. They aim to bring knowledge, help and hope to people around the world. Pretty awesome.

This is my second visit to this ship - I do recall stepping on board many years back.

I was pleasantly surprise at their stuff, mostly Christian books. I did, however, spend a decent amount of time scouring through the dd collection. Even though most of the Cds ain’t the latest or have some sort of cracks on the cover - they were flying off the shelves. They were going 1 for 1, and one Cd was retailing for about SGD$5.

I was happy that the cds weren’t recent, because… I found my sonic edge Cd! They were really difficult to find.

So old school! I recalled borrowing a particular sonicflood Cd from my friend, John, for 2 full years. It was my sleeping pill (I had much difficulty falling asleep as a kid). I would listen to the loud banging music and will fall asleep like a baby by the time I hit the 4th song.

And who will not forget Six Pence None the Richer - now you know how old I am. Lol.

I purchased some colouring books for my niece. But, the one purchase made at $1 that I was the most happy about, was a book on Dumbo - a Walt Disney classics.

Ah, childhood memories.

WishList 2010

It’s impossible to buy the world. Invest wisely and get only what you love.

Val’s Wish List for 2010.

I love.

Hi, is that Lingerie?

I had a blast this Christmas. Even though the actual day is 4 days away, I have had one of the best Christmas line-ups ever.

(I wore a tube top from TopShop, tights from Zara, earrings from Far East and my studded bag. Oh and I permed my hair! My friends said it was the Greek goddess perm. Erm… )

On Saturday, I had a meet up with my secondary school mates. Normally, I’ll meet up with only 3 of my best friends; but this year, we decided to go grand, and have a combine party with another 4. It rocked.

There were all these gorgeous (really) food - roasted chicken, korean sushi, asparagus wrapped in bacon, stingray, mashed potatoes, pomegranate sorbet with pouched pear, and a healthy serving of salad with pine nuts. It was remarkable.

We were high on sugar, played some “I had never ever…”. And I felt 10 years younger. We basically laughed the night away, and groaned at a friend who kept flashing her undies at us.

Come Sunday, I had a gathering with my JC friends. To continue my rock chick look, I wore a black butterfly dress with black tights and 4 inch high pink stilettos. Unfortunately, stupid me didn’t shoot any photos during the event. Argh…

However, this was what I got during the lucky dip gift exchange in return for my pretty body shop pressie …

I swear I’m getting my friends condoms next year. Period.

Hello, this bra is freaking tiny. Who can squeeze themselves into it?!?!? My other friend got a undies with wonderwoman on it. She was definitely upset.

Fast forward a day later, I attended another party with 7 girlies.We had a food party. It was so yummy, we ate for 1 and a half hours. Thereafter, we geeked out and played taboo and pictionary. Thankfully this time, during the gift exchange my karma worked out and I got a body shop pressie in return.

It was day three of my rock chick look, and I wore a black tutu, grey tank top coupled with a seriously bling ring from Juicy Couture. And of course, my studded bag went with me.

Oh what fun I had for 3 days and more to come this entire week.

I love hearty parties, I love my friends, and I love Christmas.

Blessed Christmas folks!

Soft Gladiator

Ahhh!!! My Chanel ring is back from Paris. I’m SO happy. I missed it so much.

Meanwhile, I know this is a little overkill with 4 new bags in the house within a span of 2 weeks. But, this is so pretty!!! I just had to get it.

I spotted this on one of my shopping trips with my sister. I have been on the look out for studded bags and shoes for a while now. Sigh, it all began when I went to Greece last year, and was sucked into this gladiator phase.

And the shop owner was so kind enough to give me a 50% off, after I bought a pair of shoes. Did I mention this bag is leather? Oh leather, leather.

Just look at the studs. So carelessly thrown on without correct spacing in between. It got to be pinned on manually - and I’m a sucker of anything handmade.

So tough on the outside, yet…

Girly stuff it holds. This is my usual stash of stuff that I carry out on a daily basis. Where men needs only a wallet to hold their essentials - mere cash and card - I carry pouches that contains… 1) My wallet (spot the Hello Kitty bag? It preciously wraps my wallet), 2) LV card case for everything that can’t be squished into my precious wallet, 3) Mini mouse spots pouch (contains my cepas) - and why do I need one specially for it? Simply because I’ll lose it if it’s not in a big pouch, 4) Club Monaco lizard skin pouch for my perfume, eyedrops, pills, keys, and 5) batik pouch from Indo for my other cards that can’t be squished in the card case or wallet.

I’m definitely a shopper.

Morelle Hauls

Just couldn’t resist getting things from Morelle. These are some items that my sister and I picked up for Christmas.

The smell of new leather is so divine…. We got really excited unwrapping the bags from their packages.

My sister got this pochette. It instantly brightens up any outfit; and is so suitable to bring to Christmas parties. The pochette spots a bright blue, which is the colour for Chanel Cruise collection’10.

But my favourite is this Morchella in Cognac Brown. I love the ribbon accents. It is similar to my Miu Miu bag which I’ve sadly abused and regretted abusing it. This Morchella is the perfect bag to bring out when you are in a I’m-in-a-rush days. The brown blends in well with whatever outfit you’re wearing (unless you’re pulling a lady Gaga in latex).

What I love about Morelle’s bags is that it is made of superior leather. It is hardy, yet is buttery soft to touch. You know quality when you have seen it and felt it. After several outings with my other two clutches, they are as good as when it has first arrived. I’m pretty sure these two will last us a long time to come.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ho ho ho! With Christmas around the corner, it is time for me to get my hands messy and bake up trays of Christmas goodies for my beloved friends.

Last year I made butter cookies, this year it shall be peanut butter cookies with a healthy dose of chocolate.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Portion: Makes about eighty cookies with 4cm width.
Time: 20 minutes to prepare. 40 minutes to bake all the cookies.

Cookies:

• 110 g (1/2 cup) shortening. OR 113 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 185 g (3/4 cup) peanut butter creamy or chunky
• 65 g (1/3 cup) fine sugar
• 45 g (1/3 cup) brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp fresh milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or essence
• 240 g (1 & 1/2 cup) plain flour (you can use more depending on how watery the dough turns out to be
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 170 g (1 cup) hersheys kisses

Directions:

Preparation:

1) Heat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius (375 F).
2) Beat shortening and peanut butter until well blended.
3) Add sugar and brown sugar; beat till fluffy. You should obtain a mixture like this:

4) Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well.
5) Add flour, baking soda, salt.You should get a dough that is soft to touch but not watery.
6) Shape dough into 1 inch balls.
7) As you shape the dough, roll in mini chocolate kisses.
Flatten it. You should obtain trays of these:

9) Bake the cookies for about 15- 20 minutes, or till it is light brown.

Enjoy!