Sponsored: Leggings 2.0

With leggings outpacing denim online, there’s no denying that it and athleisure are here to stay. And as with any trend, the only future is to see them in different variations. Sheer panels, cutouts, prints and color – the options are endless. And for sure you’ve happened to see them in any of the It girls during their workouts.

Having said that, Zaful gave me the opportunity to test drive the trend in the form of these stretchy pants with high mesh panels. Yep, they really look sexy but let’s move past that and focus on its breathability. I’ve worn them in my yoga sesh for a few times now and not only do they get the girl’s attentions and make you cool but they indeed cool you off during your hardest workouts. Sexy and functional, no complaints from this girl right here. If this ain’t your thing though, you can also one of their leggings with mesh panel that is found in this post. ;) 

See Through Mesh Leggings

Full Sails Ahead 🚢

“Traveling is like flirting with life. It’s like saying, ‘I would stay and love you, but I have to go. This is my station.”

For those of you who’ve been following me in my social platforms, you may have been aware that earlier this month I went on a 4D3N cruise with Star Cruise. We boarded in Georgetown, Penang where I had the chance to explore one of its heritage found here. 😊

I’m not a rookie when it comes to cruising. The experience is just a little different, depending on the company, the crew although the first one had quite similar destination but a different boarding area which was Singapore. And what better company is there than girls who just wanna have fun? Haha! 👯‍♀️

 For example, in my past cruise 4 years ago, we were out having a sane lovely company dinner in one of the seafood restaurants at night in Phuket. It was a January kick-off meeting with my ex-company btw. But who would’ve thought that just a few walks from there along the street of Bangla, there’s a whole new mad, crazy and lively scene happening right there? Haha! I would have loved to stay in a bar and just watch everything unfold right before my eye but, the ship beckons. And the same thing with Krabi. Hence, the quote above.

Still, I’m grateful to be back in these pockets of the world and learn a few things while on the way. Catch more of this cruise in my posts soon. 😊

Dress/ Shoes: Zalora; Hat: Zara

Pump It Up

When it comes to trends, one key tip to consider is cherry-picking. Every season, fashion designers come up with plenty of great trends but not all of them will really work on your established personal style. One thing for example for me is the slide loafers. I see them a lot in street style stars and they look ridiculously cool but they’re simply not just for me and my mammoth of a feet. Lol.

During the Chanel Fall/ Winter 2015/16 though, when Uncle Karl (lol!) sent the models in the runway in his revamped 1957 slingback style, I knew that this would be right up my alley. The two-tone cap-toe, the mid-height block heel is the perfect example of 50s retro chic and it is an absolute timeless classic. And since this is Chanel we're talking about, I promised myself that I'm going to hunt down something similar. 

I was resourceful enough to find something similar but decided against it when I found these Zara babies instead. The only difference is the missing slingback style but I could live with a block heel pump as long as the cap toe is there. I've had similar style in the form of flats before and they're utterly versatile. I couldn't be happier with the block heels too as my legs are definitely happier in them. 

Comfortable but stylish. Something about reaching that age when you could already forgo the height for something practical. Haha!

Shirtdress: ASOS; Vest/ Belt/Bag: Mango

Top: Zara; Skirt: H&M; Belt/Bag: Mango

Fresh Crop

Dubbed as the It-denim style of 2016, I wonder why it took me so long to test drive this cropped denim trend especially when it’s been fully embraced by street style stars. At a first glance, I already can see how advantageous this style if for shoe gals like me. It’s figure-flattering and shoe highlighter. But as always when thinking of buying a pair of denims, I hear that girly voice inside of me telling me to opt for skirts or dresses instead. 😛

But like always, the temptation always comes from a discounted item offering from an online store. Because why not? It wouldn’t be so bad to test drive a trend when you didn’t invest much in it, right? So when I finally tried this cropped flare denim with frayed hems on, I knew that my skinny jeans would have to be put off for some time in favor of this. Haha. And I’m already on the lookout for my next pair in a different denim wash and for sure you’ll see more of it soon. 😉

Blazer/ Denim: Zalora; Belt: Dorothy Perkins; Shoes: H&M

Belt/ Shoes: Mango; Denim: Zalora; Sunnies: Here

Vest: Terranova; Denim/ Shoes: Zalora

A Classic Kate Moss Combo

One of your best investment to make a statement this winter? A bold outerwear. And one of the trends that keep on coming back season after season, a leopard coat! Who do we thank for that? Of course, the one and only Kate Moss! This animal print outerwear has become an intrinsic part of her signature style.

I’ve always always wanted to have my own. But as always, I need an excuse to finally get one. So with an upcoming trip to somewhere wintry next month and a discounted offering from one of my favorite brands, I knew it was a sign. Lol!

If you actually look at this post, you could very well blame the supermodel for making it a wardrobe staple. As observed, she’s been donning this and another item to be specific for the last 15 years. And what is that other item you ask? A little black dress. This two-piece ensemble looked just good in 1999 as it does today from the look below agree? :P Though hers are mostly worn in party style, it should also work in corporate setting. ;)

Btw, as an animal lover, let me assure you that no animals were hurt in this as this is faux fur. ;)

Coat/ Dress/ Sunnies: Mango; Shoes: CMG

Le Maison Bleu

Legendary in the annals of the history of Penang is the awe-inspiring Cheong Fat Tze Mansion in Leith Street. Dubbed “La Maison Blue”, this flamboyant masterpiece of 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows took a very special man to create.

Of his vast empire, Cheong Fat Tze chose Penang to build the most elaborate of his homes and to raise his sons. It is reputed to be one of only two such buildings of this size, outside China and certainly the most perfected. While the Mansion’s floorplan is Chinese, the overall effect is eclectic and typical of 19^th century Straits Settlements architecture. Gothic louvered windows, Chinese cut-and-paste porcelain work, Stoke-on-Trent floor tiles, Scottish cast iron works and Art Nouveau stained glass are among the features to be found in this inspired work of art.

No wonder, Cheong Fat Tze Mansion was awarded as one of the 10 greatest mansions in the world (Lonely Planet 2011) and winner of Most Excellent Project by the UNESCO Heritage Conservation Awards in 2000.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~O~O~O~O~O~O~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o

I am chuffed that without anything in particular planned on a Sunday morning in George Town before we board our cruise ship in the afternoon (yessss, more of that soon!), I discovered this utterly gorgeous mansion. Their daily tour also luckily fitted in our schedule so we were able to check out this pride of Leith street. How coincidental also that I brought a dress that matches their interiors that somehow reminded me of Morocco's blue city 💙💙💙 (not that I've been to but dreaming to visit one day 😍). This mansion is truly a must-see when in Penang. :)

La Vie de Boheme

To take the world as one finds it, the bad with the good, making the best of the present moment – to laugh at Fortune alike whether she be generous or unkind – to spend freely when one has money, and to hope gaily when one has none –to fleet the time carelessly, living for love and art – this is the temper and spirit of the modern Bohemian in his outward and visible aspect. - Gelett Burgess

The word Bohemian (not to be confused as residents of the country) first came from the French word referring to gypsies or the Romani people who moved to France before the 18^th century (I couldn’t find the exact date). Bohemianism emerged in France then when artists and creators began to concentrate in their lower-rent, lower class Romani neighborhoods. And when it appeared in the English language in the 19^th century, it is used to describe the non-traditional lifestyles of these marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, journalists, musicians and actors in major European cities.

Reading up on the Bohemian spirit cited from an American writer’s description above, it’s easy to say that I could totally relate. But another thing that’s a characteristic of Bohemianism? Voluntary poverty. Ooops. 🙊

Free and easy are some of the few words to describe the early bohemian outfits and style which is characterized by light floaty fabrics or the peasant look. And this big question still remains in me, how come white lace dresses are associated with this lifestyle? Ahaha. All these history didn’t really connect to assure myself that I was wearing something proper for our year-end company party. Lol! From what I gathered, natural materials (in line with their earth-loving ethos) are a fabric choice for the boho-chic trend (a trend that was popularized by Kate Moss and Sienna Miller in the early 2000s in music festivals) and emphasis on ethereal look made chiffon, lace and silk appropriate. I guess my look fell into the modern boho-chic look and the one who won the best outfit in the company (a staff of mine btw) really embodied the pure bohemian look and spirit in her long, curly locks, loose printed dress with another printed cape accessorized with dreamcatcher necklace and bindi jewels in the face. She totally nailed it. Don't worry, I did my best to be an entertaining bo-host that night. Lol! 😂

Dress: H&M; Boots: Mango

Sexy Edge

They say, if you wanted to be sexy in the 90s, you went sheer. Think Kate Moss' iconic metallic sheer slip dress. Not only slip dresses, 90's -inspired sheer black top (and boydsuit) are also back. You can also see the bodysuit worn as swimsuit here. Styled over a bra or camisole and it can be daring although, there are also many ways to wear it demure as seen layered in this season's styles. But to be honest, the bff and I really bought together this sheer top for dancing purposes. And this is how I wore it below for a dance performance in our company's year-end party.

Another 90s trend in here that's been popping up on the legs of fashion bloggers lately? The fishnet tights. Sure, they won't exactly keep you warm as tights for this winter season but they certainly add a little something extra when styled under ripped jeans. Styled with thigh-high boots below, fishnets add a little texture. Combined with sheer and denim (and a moto jacket that was removed at the beginning of the dance number, haha!) altogether and they add the right amount of playful edge to your outfit. 👯👯👯

Top/ Shorts: H&M; Sports bra: Calvin Klein; Belt: Mango; Shoes: Chinese Laundry

Band Tee

As you may have learned from this 2-year old post (kudos to you if you’ve been following this blog for that long, 😂), I’m not a t-shirt type of gal. Or maybe to be more accurate, you wouldn’t catch me dead wearing a shirt alone. Sure, sometimes I’d wear a plain white one but I make sure it has an eye-catching accessory with it. Don’t get me wrong but I do sometimes wish I was a shirt and jeans type of girl. Things would be much easier. 😜

As for this graphic shirt trend that’s recently been resurging, I couldn’t help but change this disposition specially when I found this Rolling Stones shirt. A cool graphic top is indeed the best solution to I-have-nothing-to-wear days. Heck, Kendall Jenner even wore ‘em without pants on as seen here. 🙈 Of note here is how I also couldn’t stop pairing with my recent ankle boots in patent leather. But you’ve got to agree with me here, they’re just simply a match made in rock and roll heaven! 👅😎✌️🎸

Shirt: Zara; Shorts: H&M; Shoes: Mango

Shirt: Zara; Trousers: Dorothy Perkins; Shoes: Mango; Bag: Here

Shirt: Zara; Skirt: H&M; Shoes: Mango

Shirt: Zara; Leggings: Here; Shoes: Mango