Just my luck...

Just as I took the plunge and swiped the credit card for my new Burberry bag, thereby immediately imposing a shopping ban on myself, Mango and Zara decide to go on sale!!!!
:( EEEEEEEEE, NOT FAIRRRRRR!

More reasons to remain broke for the next few months:
1. Pay off next month's credit card bill
2. Boyfriend's birthday this weekend
3. Deposit minimum goal amount(self-imposed again) of money into savings account - don't want to fall into the habit of spending everything I earn!
4. Maintain insurance premium payments
5. Maintain mum's 'monthly allowance' :D

Anyway, I'm off to Bangkok again next week on business. Pros: Meals and Accomodations are all paid for, and the hotel bed is heavennnnnnn. Cons: I'm there to work, and no shopping this time. And I have no money for massages either. Boooohoooo! :'(

Today Was a Productive Day...

I managed to complete all the items on my to-do list for the day, which is really good for a change :)

Outfit for the day - I was dressed up for 'war', but unfortunately it got postponed to tomorrow. Price negotiations with my agency. Can't wait to get it over and done with! By the way, this is what my bag looks like when carried/slung over the shoulder. Not too big I think.
Chiffon draped blouse - one of my recent buys from Zara
Belt - from Bangkok
Skirt - Mango
Bag - Burberry ^_^
Shoes - Nine West

I am officially on a 90 day shopping ban...

I have been a BAD girl. Work-related stress has resulted in me splurging on way too many purchases over the past month!

I must admit that although my job drives me up the wall with all those late hours and constant, extreme pressure to deliver, the upside is that I get to treat myself to some little luxuries every now and then. Except I went overboard on the NOW so I have to cut back on the then. Therefore, I am now imposing a strict 90-day shopping ban on myself. The only things I'm allowed to spend on are necessities like food, and replacing items that are worn/broken.

Now that the formalities are out of the way, let's review the damage...

SK-II stuff - I bought the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion and Advance Whitening Source Pancake (compact and puff came separately)

SK II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion 215ml Conditions. Purifies. Perfectly prepares skin for Facial Treatment Essence. This crystal clear skin refining lotion with Hydroxy-Acids, soothing moisturizers and Pitera is the final step of your purifying ritual. Alcohol-free.

This is actually a toner. Ingredients include hyaluronic acid and a chockfull of hydrating ingredients on top of the AHAs, so I reckon it should be good for my skin. Tonight is my second night using the toner (I only use it once a day), and so far my skin likes it. I can see that my face is glowier and my pores are smaller in the morning! Fingers crossed that it will continue to get better each day :D

Advanced Whitening Source Pancake
Advanced Whitening Source Pancake provides natural coverage of spots, freckles, pores and other skin imperfections for a flawless-looking finish. It contains MT Blocker P (Vitamin C derivative, Vitamin B3 and Pitera®) and Inositol, an ingredient that is also present in Whitening Source Derm-Revival Program. The secret to achieving this lies in its perfect blend of powders of three different sizes, which fills in pores and provides natural coverage of skin troubles. The unique blend of four pearl powders – cream, blue, pink and white - creates depth for light reflection, helping dull skin achieve a translucent finish

This 2-way cake is awesome! Its super fine texture glides on smoothly on top of my Lunasol Modeling Liquid Foundation and covers my scars (which are improving thanks to Paul & Joe) perfectly. The powders' mattifying powers are also really good, and it doesn't really sink into my laugh lines. Crossing my fingers that it won't break me out somewhere down the line.

Next.....

A purchase that broke the bank but made the girl happy...
My first Burberry bag! I didn't get the checkered one because too many people are using those! I'm a classic leather bag kinda girl, and I enjoy the feel of thick, squishy leather compared to canvas :D I also love the smell of buttery soft leather, it makes me feel like I'm in a room with a fireplace sitting on a club chair while it snows outside....or maybe that's just my overactive imagination.

Anyways, here's the bag...great for work or play, and just the right size! The tag thingy is removable, and it comes with a long leather strap so the satchel can be converted into a sling bag. Multi-tasking baby, I like.
The insides - see I still got my checkers! They're just not visible to outsiders :D

Ok the end I'm going to go nurse my sore bank account now.

What a week :(

Haven't dressed up for work all week because I've been working too long and hard. Highly sleep deprived, so please allow me to catch some ZZZs before I find the strength to update my blog...

Little indulgences and yet another black Monday...

I'm on a roll with the all-black outfits lately, and today is just one of those days. My weekend seriously goes by WAY too fast, so today's somber ensemble is an expression of my mood :(
Urban Behaviour button-up shirt
Mango pencil skirt
Bangles from Bangkok
Forever21 faux pearl necklace
Tribeca by Kenneth Cole pumps

This is my new favorite ring - also purchased in Bangkok. It's a dainty brass band with a dangly pearl, crystal, and leaf/snowflake charm. Super cute!
Close up of the ring
I attended a really interesting retail seminar hosted by TNS (Taylor Nelson Sofres - a leading market reseach company) this morning with my boss and a couple of colleagues. It was the perfect opportunity to network, but I didn't make full use of it, so I'm kicking myself now. The speaker was seated at my table and there were only 4 of us! I should have struck up a conversation with him and gotten his contacts. GRARR!

Also, there was a fragrance/cosmetics warehouse sale last Friday so I seized the opportunity to purchase some perfume and new mascara. I got a bottle of Anna Sui's Flight of Fancy EDT 50ml and Anna Sui Super Mascara DX Full. Both totaled up to about RM100 (USD33), a real steal!

Anna Sui products definitely live up to their reputation of pretty packaging and yummy rose scent.
Flight of Fancy is a fresh, sweet, floral scent that's somewhat reminiscent of fruit flavored candy. Loooove the glass peacock cover!
Anna Sui mascara smells like roses *heart* The first time I used it I tried to sniff the mascara wand and ended up with mascara on my nose! T__TThe bristles on the wand.
Performance wise, this mascara ain't too bad. However, I think mine's dried up already even though it was unopened when I purchased it, so I have trouble getting the right amount of mascara on my lashes. The texture is very light and non-clumpy, and it gives a natural, lush look. The mascara is smudge resistant but easy to remove, so in that sense it beats MMs lash expander mascara. I would give it an 8/10 if not for the fact that it's dried up. The smell is a bonus for me because I love roses :D

Thank God tomorrow's Friday

I've had a reeeeally long week at work thus far, so I'm looking forward to kicking back and relaxing this weekend. Just one more day to go....I'm so tired! :(

Today's outfit - an attempt at mixing in some colors with my usual black
Springfield Cardigan
Gap tank with ruffled placket detail
Club monaco slacks
M)phosis kitten heel pumps (not shown)
Bangles from Bangkok

Close-up:
My beloved bangles ^^ Doesn't the back of my hand look smooth and glowy here? HAHAHA :D

I also wanted to give you girls an update on the Bioxil eye cream. I'm seeing effects at day 4!! Been using it twice a day, and it's definitely outperformed my expectations :) The cream is has a light yet nourishing texture that is easily absorbed with no stickiness. My only issue is the herbal smell but I've pretty much adapted to it.

Some before-after pictures:

Before use, Day 1 - you can definitely see some lines caused by dryness, especially one very obvious one near the tear duct.
Day 4 (today) - You can definitely see that the undereye area is smoother, and that very obvious line has diminished!
Side by side - not much diff in terms of dark circles, but definitely smoother and more 'plumped up' compared to before.
I will update again once the 14 days (as claimed) are up. I bought this eye cream not expecting any miracles, but have definitely been pleasantly surprised :) I will definitely repurchase if it's as effective as it claims.

Lastly, as per a reader's request, here's a picture of my Charles and Keith slingbacks

Paddle Pop, Paddle Pop, Super Duper Yummy....~~

If you're Malaysian and were born around the same time as me, you'd probably be familiar with the jingle above. For the benefit of my non-Malaysian readers, Paddle Pop is a homegrown ice cream brand, and today my outfit apparently resembled their Rainbow ice-cream, because my colleagues kept associating me with food T__T

Paddle Pop (picture credits: Veekeong.com)
My outfit for the day
Kitschen blouse layered over Topshop tank
Club Monaco slacks
Belt and bangles from Bangkok
Nine West flats

Girls, seriously you should run to Kitschen and buy these tees - they're RM19.90 each (about USD5), come in a variety of colors and are SUPER COMFY to wear! By the way, they're guy's t-shirts. I know right? Guys tees in pastel greens and pinks and oranges. Hmmm?

Oh, and I think I've found the theme song for my life right now. Lenka's "The Show". I can't stop humming it because its so happy yet has such a deep meaning :)

Please listen, its an AWESOME song!

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go I can't do it alone I've tried
And I don't know why

Slow it down
Make it stop
Or else my heart is going to pop
'Cause it's too much
Yeah, it's a lot
To be something I'm not

I'm a fool
Out of love
'Cause I just can't get enough

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go I can't do it alone I've tried
And I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
It's bringing me down I know
I've got to let it go
And just enjoy the show

The sun is hot
In the sky
Just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the sign
And synchronize in time

It's a joke
Nobody knows
They've got a ticket to that show

Yeah
I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I dont know where to go I can't do it alone I've tried
And I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
It's bringing me down I know
I've got to let it go

And just enjoy the show
Just enjoy the show

dum de dum
dudum de dum
Just enjoy the show

I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back
Just enjoy the show

You got that right sister, I want my money back haha :P

Little Miss Procrastinator

The time now is 10.20pm. I've got a bunch of work documents to read before bed, but here I am blogging instead. I think I'll just go into the office earlier tomorrow and read them over a bowl of Koko Krunch :D

I had some problems with the wireless at home so I couldn't blog. Last Saturday was my brother's 21st birthday, so we celebrated at Angus Steakhouse in Pavillion. The steaks there were really good, one of the best I've had in Malaysia so far!

I'm still impressed by the architecture at Pavillion, despite having been there at least a dozen times before...

Food porn! Mum and I shared a tenderloin steak, medium. It was soooo tender and juicy, my mouth is watering now just thinking about it!

I also attended a mini high school reunion that day, and I was surprised to find that most of my ex-classmates haven't changed much, though all of us are leading such different lives right now. I enjoyed myself much more than I expected, and look forward to attending our next one :)

Pictures stolen from my friends' Facebook pages :D
LOL I look so scary in this picture!

My wallet also took a minor beating over the weekend, as I splurged on eye cream, a blouse from Zara, and a Springfield cardigan. The eye cream was a necessity though, since I'd already run out of my Shu Uemura and L'oreal Derma Genesis ones.

I decided to try Bioxil since they were having a 50% off promotion. Apparently the cream addresses all eye area issues thanks to a bunch of active ingredients, and you can see effects after 14 days. IF this really works, I'm gonna stock up and become a loyal fan!

Bioxil Advanced Wrinkle Lifting Eye Cream

A lightweight yet nutritious cream for the eye contour that promises to eradicate puffiness, dark circles and alleviate eye bags. It contains botanical extracts that soothe, moisturize and clam the area around the eye, smoothing out fine lines while anti-oxidants and UVA and UVB filers protect skin from free radicals and sun, making eyes brighter, exuding a more youthful appearance.

DIRECTIONS:
Apply twice daily.
Apply delicately using fingertips on a thoroughly cleansed eye contour area.

Key Ingredients and Benefits:
1. Ginseng with Gynostemma - Reduces puffiness and alleviates eye bags
2. Polysaccharide Complex of Tamarind Seed - Maintain skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles
3. Ceramide Complex of Ceramide 2 and Soy Bean Seed Extract - Firming and improve skin suppleness
4.Vitamin C Esther - Promotes collagen synthesis and lightens skin
5. Ayurvedic Botanical Complex - Soothing, moisturizing and calming
6. Linden Tree Extract - Moisturizing
7. Grape Seed Extract and White Tea - Fight free radicals

I've already taken a before photo, and will post a before-after comparison after 14 days of use. Right now I'm on my 3rd day, and although I don't think I see any major improvements, it does hydrate the eye area and does not cause milia breakouts. The one thing I don't like is the smell - It's made of herbs and does not contain any fragrances so it leaves a stinky Chinese herbal shop smell on my face :(

Lastly, here's what I wore to work on Monday. I forgot (and was too lazy) to take pictures of today (Tuesday's) outfit :P
H&M Dress
Belt from Bangkok
Issac Mizrahi for Target Pumps
Tiffany heart necklace

Close up of the belt - yet another one of my Bangkok purchases
Close up of my shoes - as per a reader's request
Ok, off to bed! I need to wake up at 7am tomorrow to get to office early :( Good night now!

Work outfits! It's been awhile...

I know it's been awhile, but I haven't had time to post my work outfits because work has been crrrrrazy! I try to remind myself that for every 13 hour work day, my market value increases by a weee bit because I learn more. Theoretically speaking, the longer I survive at my current job, the more I will be worth in future.

Tuesday's Outfit
Satin blouse - H&M
Pinstriped pencil skirt - Mango
Bag and shoes - Charles & Keith
Necklace - Bangkok

I bought a whole bunch of accessories in Bangkok and this necklace is just one of them. Check out the stack of enamel bracelets I bought, which I love to death! It was like being a kid in a candy shop when I mixed and matched the colors to my heart's content....Wednesday's Outfit
Sheer lace blouse - Nichii
Camisole - Giordano
Slacks - Club Monaco
Vintage leather belt
H&M necklace
Bangles from Bangkok
Two Lips suede slingbacks

Close-up on the outfit. LOOOVE my new bangles *hearts*

Blogging at Last!

Hola everyone! I've FINALLY found time to blog. Ever since I got back from Bangkok on Friday I've been busy drowning at work to meet a crucial deadline this week.

I'm taking a breather tonight, since tomorrow is a replacement holiday for us at the office ^^ I'm sooo tired right now I bet I could just fall asleep and wake up at noon tomorrow! I think I'll do just that - wake up at noon and go for my facial at 12.30. After all this hard wok, I should totally pamper myself! :D

Anyway, let me share pictures from my business trip to Bangkok. I managed to mix in some pleasure (in the form of shopping and massages) as well in the 6 days I was there...

Our in-flight meal - we flew Malaysian Airlines so we got to eat nasi lemak for breakfast! :)

Our room at the Emporium Suites *hearts* It's pretty darn comfy, and according to my roomate the green curry from room service was awesome (but I didn't get to try it).
The moment we checked in and dropped off our luggage we headed to Chatuchak for some shopping! Chatuchak is a marketplace crammed with all sorts of cheap goodies - clothes, shoes, accessories, home decor items, pets.....basically anything under the sun. It's also really hot, stuff, and smelly but loads of fun nontheless! :)

Some sights and sounds...

The day's damage...
That night, we had dinner at the Emporium food court. I was really craving for Tom Yum soup and Green curry so we had just that.
Day 2 - We headed to Platinum mall for more shopping in the morning, exhausted our cash reserves and headed back to the hotel at noon because I had to rush off for some consumer work.

More damage...

That night, my boss brought us to a really cool restaurant called Cabbages & Condoms. Yes it was THAT cool. HAHA. The decor was all condom themed, and even the souvenirs were condoms. The whole reason behind this non-conventional theme is that part of the restaurant's proceeds goes to an AIDS/HIV charity organization. Trust me, despite the dodgy name it's a perfectly decent restaurant with a dash of humor and fun built into it. Plus, we got to eat great food for a good cause!
Mannequins dressed in condoms...
Pretty and lush greenery...right?
Look again!

Beautiful twinkling lights :)
Some food shots...


Something to put a smile on your face as you leave the restaurant... Last but not least, a view of the Bangkok skyline, taken from our hotel room...