I'm living a lie, but only temporarily

My love for fashion has always been an on-and-off thing. Like every other couple, I go through the highs and the lows. But every day for me is a chance to embrace the unknown. What will I wear? What accessories goes with this outfit? I like the idea of chance, and then pulling looks out of nothing. I know, fashion will never fail me. I will always be able to fall back on the reliable little black dress, or 5 inch heels that kill my feet yet my legs look endless. It's like a lover that will never say 'no' only 'yes, you look beautiful' and that kind of promise is kind of okay for now. But there are days when I hate having to love something so much and having to let it go because disposable income is otherwise limited. Still, it is okay to dream and lust over that Celine bag because when you dream big, you achieve big things. And translating that to real life.

I also know. One day, I will marry a man who will dress in short-pants suit on our wedding day and me in a simple white chiffon dress with slippers. One day, I will marry a man who will give me a walk-in wardrobe, the kind that Big built for Carrie in Sex and the City. One day, I will marry a man who will allow me to ride around in my pink bike with a big floppy hat and a dress while we go out for picnics and lie under the sun talking about nothing and everything.

Life now is a myriad of idealistic notions, because when you're single and living life, everything seems possible.

And my dream of a breakfast joint that serves up freshly baked muffins and organic soy oats, and a clothing label that I can call my own, doesn't seem so far away after all.

Oh! Darling, let's be adventurers :)

let's take a brief moment.

Sunset, by the Seine.

I've closed many chapters in my life, started on one too many 'clean slates' and journeys just never seem to come around like I hoped it would. I am not much of a writer like my best friend is, so penning my thoughts for this summer may get slightly lost in translation, but I'll try. To begin with, I would like to clarify that this is by no means a travel piece. You will not find very useful information if you're thinking about heading to Paris / London (sorry about that), although I will give you a list of things / expectations, should you be deciding to head there at some point. But first, let me start by saying that while I am not a writer, I am a 'emote-er'. Pretty sure this word doesn't exist in the dictionary so by my definition, I travel with heightened senses. A gush of wind that wraps my heart up into soaring heights, a smell of fresh croissants that sends a rumble to my tummy, the taste of home-made ice-cream running down my dry throat, the sound that my boots make as I make my way through the cobbled streets of Paris, so many other memories that stays fresh in my mind till this very day. While it is one thing to marvel at The Louvre or Buckingham Palace, it is another to remember the tiny details of your adventure. THOSE are what real adventures are made up on. The smile from a stranger on the street, meeting fancy people at the market, vintage shopping and running your fingers through clothes that have a history and story to them. THOSE are the real memories that no one can create but yourself.

I closed a chapter in my life recently, and came on this journey with an appetite to learn. It was like I was starved from the world so when I embarked on this, I felt like I couldn't stop. I just wanted to know more, to see more, to take in so much that my heart could go into combustion. And I am so glad that I learnt not just about the world, but about myself. Just short of a few months ago, the thought of being alone was a fear that I could not face. Yet through these 14 days travelling through London and Paris, I regained the independence that was so fiercely taken away from me and finally I feel like I am living again. I know, it sounds all so melodramatic but when you've been numbed long enough, this is how you should feel. 14 days and now I have dreams and aspirations bigger than what I could have imagined for myself. I cling on to everything I have seen, heard, felt, tasted and smelled.

I created a Top-18 (because I don't like to do complete things) list for Paris, not one for London (yet) but for now, here is what I can offer.

18 Things that you must do in Paris:

1. Have Pierre Herme macarons (you MUST, and far better than Laduree)

2. Eat Bretollion ice-cream (Have it along the il-st-louis and watch amazing street performers)

3. Say 'Bonjour' and 'Merci' (at the very least)

4. Visit Centre Pompidou (I spent 4 hours by myself there, AMAZING ART)

5. Learn to open metro doors (and fast , cos no one's gonna teach you that's for sure)

6. Eat lots and lots of crepes

7. Buy lots and lots of bon bons

8. Lie about in a jardin (garden), book in hand and peace in mind.

9. Eat baguette by the Seine

10. Visit Montmarte (my favourite part of Paris, for sure)

11. Be rude to a rude french

12. Beware of pigeons

13. Go to Sacre-Couer and wait for sundown, amazing view of the Eiffel Tower

14. Have a cup of coffee everyday

15. Cycle in Paris

16 (a) ignore couples making out as best you can if you are single/recently heartbroken or (b) embrace l'amour parce que all you need in life is love! Oui!

17. Visit Chateau de Versailles (must do!)

18. Lastly, create an amazing playlist - Sigur Ros, Morrissey, Mumford & Sons, The Black Kids, Angus & Julia Stone, etc - because music is everything when you travel.

au revoir et merci for reading.

Pictures taken along the Seine and by the St-Michel fountain.

I made it, to Paris :)

You and Me

Ryan Gosling owns my heart.

So much love for this song.

Barely breathing.

I just got back from Hong Kong and learnt the art of layering. It was a good 18 deg everyday which gave me ample opportunities to experiment with my outfits, layering a denim jacket and a military parka over it; not to mention stepping into mecca also known as H & M. It was speed shopping at its finest. Take take take off the racks and vet vet vet vet, then line up, queue and pay. It was quite the thrill ride :)

I am as of right now, knackered. Feel like I'm standing outside my body and telling me to go through the motion of work. Landed at 1 am, feel absolutely crap right now. Also, I still smell of airplane. Or maybe the lack of sleep is leading to hyper sensitive smell? I don't know...

But as I was saying, I learnt the art of layering in Hong Kong (By the way, Hong Kongers are very stylish - I was thoroughly impressed), and decided that since I am now back in 40 deg heat I can still have the same type of fun.

Wearing: Faux Denim shirt - Uniqlo, layered with Black bubble romper from here, Necklace - H&M, polka dotted socks - H&M, Boots - Dr. Martens

The first picture of me laughing is kinda stupid which I like.

OK, peace out.

ps: pray for Japan

Woah type of styles

These photos caught my eye on a sleepy Sunday morning. Hair - woah, vest - woah and pants - woah.

You can tell she's an artist right through and through from the way she carries herself.

Lesson to be learnt: Dress like no other but yourself. Originality is the start of all great fashion.

On a personal front, I went rock climbing yesterday. It was mad fun, but right now my shoulders and my arms are burning with pain. But this pain is good. Heading to an afternoon of art fun, I am stoked. I want to badly add a #artstage (hash tag of 'Art Stage') here, does that mean twitter has taken over my life? Follow me for updates! Yes, that's jojobeanss (with 2 's') ;)

Good Sunday!

Kinda blank

I've been quiet on the fashion front due to lotsa spring cleaning going on especially in my head. But please watch this video of Scott Schuman, genius behind 'The Sartorialist'; it's beautiful.

ps: Joe Jean's platforms are here, sorry only have ugly iphone snaps but holy crap I'm stoked!!

Heavy thoughts

It's been a hectic start to the new year with an impending move coming. Packing up 20 years of your life into boxes is truly a challenge. Especially when you're downsizing. Tonight marks the last night here at this place I've called home for the past 20 years of my life. So many memories attached to this place (not mentioning the boys I snuck into my bedroom) - sleepovers, bbqs, my first (and only) dog that has since then passed, the first time I rode a bike, the first time I bladed..getting slightly nostalgic here.

And unpacking a wardrobe that has been berated by my parents time and time again that there's just too much clothes, has only proven one theory - Your parents ARE ALWAYS right. This is Confessions of a Shopaholic 101. It's safe to say I feel immensely guilty now for giving into consumerism and wasting SO much money on shit I don't even use anymore. It's a very sobering experience to say the least. From now on, if I go on about how I need a pair of useless $10 shoes/a bag/a dress that is on 'sale' at far east plaza, please shoot me. You are given permission to.

Now I know, investment pieces are the ONLY way to go. ie. Those A. Wang Chukka Boots still deserve a place in my wardrobe. -Resolute-