Cashmere Accessories Under £30

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I love cashmere but I don't always love the mind-boggling price tag. I know that all cashmere are not created equal but I've never been disappointed with the basics I've bought from my favorite store, Uniqlo. These guys do basics exceptionally well. I'm not expecting Hermes - Made in Scotland level of quality but these are better than most of the ones in a similar price range on the High St. Make sure you enter the discount code UQX60 to get £10 off if you're spending £60 or more.

Bargain of the month - the £29.99 coat

Zara coat

Uniqlo sweater

Alexander Wang t-shirt (hidden)

Hermes belt (hidden)

Zara boyfriend jeans

 Zara badass biker boots

vintage Coach bag

I thought there was something wrong with my eyesight when I saw the ridiculous price tag hanging on this coat .............. oh wait, there IS cos my eyesight's crap and I'm wearing glasses but that's beside the point. This classic and surprisingly luxurious (I'll have you know that it's made out of 57% wool) coat is a mere £29.99. Yup, you've heard me. Let me say it again - £29.99. It's remarkably thick and heavy but what got me was the fact that it looked and felt like a designer coat. The pocket lining is a little thin but heck, it's not even £30 so I'll try not to nitpick.

I was lucky to nab one at Heathrow for £24.99 (no VAT. Woohooo!). I was so tempted to ask the sales associate to locate the grey version in XS but there was no way I was able to stuff two thick winter coats in a small suitcase. I normally wear an S but I had to size down due to my narrow shoulders. Thankfully, I was able to button it up despite feasting on leg of hare/goose/duck for the last 4 days (have you noticed the chubby chipmunk cheeks and an extra chin growing beneath the first?). Try your luck at Zara but if it's sold out again, just pop your email address and you'll be notified when your size comes back in stock.

Different ways of wearing the camo print

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So.... continuing on the subject of camo addiction. Being the fashion dweeb that I am, I'm millions of light years late to the trend. Ah well..... at least I'm fashionably late. I've always been a little wary about the camo print. Overdo it and I'll appear ready for jungle warfare. All that's needed is some war paint to finish the look off.

A couple of weeks ago, Kylie dragged me into a proper army surplus store stuffed with uniforms from all over Europe. Having perused an inordinate number of jackets, I've concluded that giants do exist. I'm 5'2 (and a quarter) and it's not as if I'm Thumbelina but it would've been so easy for me to disappear into one of the jackets and never to be found again. That and the ick factor of trying on something that may have been worn to war. D'oh! I know that's what camouflage clothes are for ....but I'm squeamish about things like that.

After gazing at hundreds of photos online and getting pretty cross eyed in the process, I've concluded that camo print is 1) versatile. In fact, more so than I'd expected. 2) more palatable (for me, anyway) if it's in a more muted or darker tone.  3) I will avoid slouchy oversized camo print pants at all costs. If you've already jumped on to this trend, how are you wearing yours?

What I've been reading and watching

 


I'm in the midst of packing for our upcoming trip. I'm a little unprepared having done practically no reading about the city we're going to other than the fact that it has been on my top places to visit list for the last 2 decades. How ironic. Ah well.... I've packed the guide books so I guess I'll be busy cramming on the plane. Before I sign for the week, I'd like to share a few links as well as photos I took of Little Venice in London recently.

The art of packing by Louis Vuitton

Bits of it is in Mandarin but this is one of the best advice I've heard on how to deal with rejection from a very famous pop singer and musician.

What luxury can learn from Starbucks in China

If I wasn't enamored with eclairs before, I am now, thanks to Carin. This is taking eclairs to another level.

This has got to be the most comprehensive and stunning 7 episode series of the origin of the Chinese cuisine.

Camo addiction

My addiction to the leopard print hasn't abated but now, I've picked up yet another obsession - the camo print. My friend, Kylie came in these River Island camo pants the other day paired with wicked bada$$ Ash biker boots. There was no way I was letting her go without taking a photo of her outfit.

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Day 4: Battling the cold

Alexander Wang t-shirt

Zara boyfriend jeans

Ankle boots (similar here)

Isabel Marant Knitted sweater (similar here)

Gloverall duffle coat (similar here)

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 35

I received a deluge of comments when I changed my profile photo on Facebook recently. It's also the second time in Facebook history that I've ever changed the photo. It could be that I'm rarely in front of the camera. In fact, it's the first time I've cut my hair in a year. Friends walked right past me with nary a sign of recognition when I was out and about with my hair down. It's apparently a very rare occurrence that my hair was NOT in a ponytail or chignon. So says these friends of mine.....

It's taken nearly 6 months to stabilize the hair loss I've been suffering due to a combination of long term side effects of medication and very low iron levels. By February, hair was falling out in clumps. It's the one time in my life that I was thankful for my thick Asian afro. Right now, I've got bits of hair sticking out everywhere which makes me look like an untrimmed poodle if I'm not liberal enough with the L'Oreal Elnett hairspray. Here's what I've found out from personal experience.

- In many cases, beta blockers do cause hair loss. 
- Iron tablets take at least 3 months to build up enough reserve. 
- It takes 3 months to drain beta blockers out of your system. 
- Don't take anything caffeinated an hour before or after taking an iron tablet as they inhibit iron absorption. Instead, take it with apple or orange juice.  
- Signs of hair regrowth can take anything from 6 months to a year.

Right....let's go back to fashion talk. Most days, I feel like a stripper. Not literally.... yikes..banish the thought! I'd probably scare a few (okay, a LOT) with my muffin top and cellulite. However, if I've got Miranda Kerr's body, I'd strip down to my birthday suit everyday.  I put on, take off, put on, take off my clothes ALL day long. It's hot when I'm inside, cold when I'm outside, roasting when I'm on the tube. So I guess, layering is the key to surviving the crazy weather here.

I picked up this Isabel Marant Etoile knitted sweater from the sale a few months back. I love knits that are made of a blend of different colored yarns. It's striking without looking overly so. Isabel Marant has another in 100% wool this season which I'm particularly impressed with.  I still love my traditional English heritage brand, Gloverall swing duffle coat (that's duffel to those of you across the Atlantic ocean) which weighs a ton but battles the cold stoically.

London Eats: Best Dim Sum

Despite being brought up on a diet of southern Chinese cooking, I do not naturally gravitate towards the cuisine. Back in Auckland, both my Asian and especially, non Asian friends ALWAYS love to catch up over dim sum. Why???!!  The clattering of plates, trolleys whizzing up and down, noise levels so high that we often ended up shouting at each other. Seriously, how is this relaxing? Give me a cafe any day.

Lil L has been haranguing me for months to take her to dim sum and I finally capitulated to her pleas. Despite having never lived in Asia, this young foodie is addicted to all Asian food (yes, durian, tripe, dragon fruit, frog etc etc... all those yucky stuff I don't eat. EVER). I've heard about Pearl Liang for years now but never attempted to visit the place as it's out of my way. I had to book days beforehand as it's always chock-full. If you're taking the tube, make sure you get off at the Paddington national rail exit or else it's an unnecessary long walk especially if you're rushing to get there on time.

Now let's talk about the food. It. Was. DIVINE. Yes, this is a verdict from a girl who avoids dim sum like the plague. The Xiao Long Bao was succulent and we slurped the tasty soup that seeped out of the dumpling. The You Tiao (dough stick) inside the cheong fun (rice noodle roll) was crunchy and tasty without being overly oily. It didn't taste as if they'd re-used the oil. The egg tart was piping hot and crunchy but the pastry.... oh my word the pastry....it was buttery and melt in your mouth goodness. Every dumpling was beautifully made but the taste was just out of this world. Our bill came in just under £40 for 9 dishes, tea and service charge. Oh, and most importantly, I love their quirky toilets and they're unbelievably clean (if you've been to enough Chinese restaurants, you'll know that their toilets are....... a sight to behold. And I don't mean that in a positive way).


Pearl Liang
8 Sheldon Square
Paddington Central
London W2 6EZ
Tube: Paddington
Phone: 0207 289 7000

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Day 3: Double Up

 

Alexander Wang t-shirt

Zara boyfriend jeans

Zara biker boots

Helmut Villous jersey jacket

Rick Owens leather jacket (similar here)

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 35

Hermes belt (hidden)

My closet is so minuscule that there's no clear division between spring/summer and autumn/winter clothes. Frankly, I don't understand why we can't wear our clothes all year round especially if we've paid a small fortune for the privilege of owning them. Take my Rick Owens jacket (wincing in financial pain) which is clearly too thin to wear on its own in the current freezing-my-butt-off weather. There's no rule stating that we can't wear two jackets simultaneously. I mean, if you can carry two handbags at any one time, why not do the same with clothes?

I managed to nab this ultra warm and cozy Helmut jersey jacket last year which sold out so quickly. It was re-introduced this year but again, it was out of stock within weeks. It's a sweatshirt that doesn't look like a sweatshirt (I know, I know. It's such an oxymoron. It's a little like eating vegetarian chicken which defeats the purpose....really...) which lessens my guilt when I'm wearing my track pants and sweatshirt combo yet again. Clearly, I'm having trouble letting go of my varsity days despite having left the institution two decades ago. Anyhoo.....after that long winded cockamamie spiel......... By combining the two pieces together, I could extend the use of the leather jacket to all year long. Well, until it starts to snow........

**Photo credit: Thank you to my awesome and patient friend, Seon Joo for the mug shot.

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: Day 2 - Rainy Day

Photo credit: SJ

Alexander Wang t-shirt 

Zara jeans

Tokito for Barbour Men's jacket (similar here)

Hermes Cape Cod watch

Zara biker boot

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 35.

This is day 2 of my capsule wardrobe challenge (day 1 here). Seeing that we have schizophrenic weather here in the U.K, this would pretty much sum up what I tend to wear on a daily basis. A waterproof outerwear with a hood and a pair of boots to stomp through inordinate number of puddles on the ground (What? You didn't think adults do that?).

I woke up at 8.25 a.m this morning and let out a bloodcurdling scream when I saw the clock on my phone. Erm......sorry neighbors. Good thing no one called 911 on my behalf. Lil L had to be in school by 9 a.m. It took me just 2 minutes to pull this look together seeing that we're still using the grey t-shirt and boyfriend jeans as a foundation to build on. I even managed to do a rather impressive fried rice complete with the roaring fire and wok tossing for her packed lunch (actually, it was more like a maniac mom trying to cook in super sonic speed and screaming at LL to inhale, not eat her breakfast). We made it to school just in time to escape the withering looks from the deputy principal which she dishes out to latecomers.

The hubby was mad about Barbour jackets. I used to roll my eyes when he started on THE SPIEL about the pros and pros (that's not a typo) of the awesome Barbour jackets. Fast forward two years later, I'm a convert. I've snitched this one by Tokito (or otherwise known as Tokihito Yoshida who'd designed a capsule collection for Barbour) from his wardrobe.

I've got my eye on a few others in the store but I've noticed how quickly the smaller sizes sell out. The waxed ones are particularly wind/water proof and coupled with a nice padding or fleece lining, you're all sorted for winter. By the way, have you noticed the number of (deep) pockets on my jacket? I don't have many winter coats (2 at my last count) as I prefer to spend a little more buying one that will not only be practical but also classic enough to last several years without looking dated. If you're rather petite and wear size 8 or 10, you can actually save yourself a ton of money by buying the jackets (XL = size 8, XXL = size 10) from the children's collection.

p.s. if you're planning to buy anything at My Wardrobe during their current mid season sale, please use this code AWEXTRA10 to knock off an additional 10% 

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: Warm Autumn Day

Alexander Wang t-shirt 

Zara boyfriend jeans

Alexander Wang t-shirt
Zara Jeans
Zara boots
Zara blazer
Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 35
Hermes Cape Cod watch (similar here)
Hermes Birkin 30cm (similar Birkin here. Use code MIDSEASON for 10% off)

I haven't bothered sharing my outfit posts for well over 2 months now. In fact, I've taken a rather laissez-faire attitude (read: disgustingly lazy) towards getting dressed ever since the weather was cold enough for me to sink into my track pants. A rotation of various track pants followed and it's been a downhill battle to appear in anything decent ever since. I blame it on the the uninspiring weather. I also need to fire my stylist. Oh wait, that's........me.

I've been busy devouring a series of personal style blogs but then I realized that the weather here isn't conducive to shorts and pretty dresses. Secondly, my current lifestyle is poles apart from these lovely ladies which means weather, practicality and comfort prevail. Okay, budget too. My wish list is bigger than the balance of my bank account. It's tempting and oh so easy to keep clicking check out when I'm doing some online window shopping.

So for the sake of my vanity, sanity and bank account, I've decided to formulate a personal challenge for the next week or two. Seeing that I tend to freeze into an inertia like state of mind if I have to figure out what to wear everyday, I've decided that it'll be easier if I started with a foundation of a grey t-shirt and a pair of boyfriend jeans (ah....yes...still obsessed with them) and build up the layers depending on the weather and occasion. So, here's the first look on a surprisingly warm autumn day.

Photo credit: A huge thank you to my friend, SJ for helping me with the photo.

Travesty of Fashion Trends

I suffer from a complete fashion overload pretty much after every Fashion Week. A whole month of being bombarded with nothing more than so called street style which is more theatrical than reality and of course, blatant consumerism.

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Kenzo has moved from being obsessed with tigers to all about the Eye. On sweatshirts, bags and any conceivable Kenzo surface. The weave patterned Celine sneakers looked not too dissimilar to the dirt cheap Chinese storage bags that every Asian person on the face of the earth is familiar with. What can I say? Inspiration comes in all forms and ways. Let's take a look at Marc Jacobs. He and his team of designers loved the foldable bag so much that they copied it for Louis Vuitton as a tribute and charged a small fortune for it. Going back to these Celine Skate sneakers........ they've been photographed on the feet of many mainstream and popular bloggers as well as fashionistas. I'd say, they're a definite candidate on Celine Doan's Shit Bloggers Wear. I'll have to tell my relatives in Asia how fashion forward they are.

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What's with the socks and heels combo?  I'm bemused at how many actually jumped on the bandwagon despite how ridiculous and contrived it looked. And uncomfortable. Balancing on heels while running from one show to the next or trying to glide on the pebbly bits of the Tuileries is hard enough. Add a pair of socks and you're practically left with no grip on those hard soles. This reminded me of how the magazines raved about the furry Celine heels and continued waxing lyrical about Birkenstocks which looked like they'd sprouted hair overnight. The first reminded me of Big Bird in heels and the second, his partner in crime, Elmo.

And then there's the jacket/coat draped over the shoulder. We've all done it including yours truly.  Posing and standing deathly still is one thing. Let's be honest here, wearing it this way allows your outfit to be more visible. Trying to do a catwalk on the street while perilously balancing the jacket on your shoulders is another story. Toss in a young child and it's borderline lunacy, excruciatingly contrived and utter vanity (I've tried doing it and the results ain't pretty..........)

Whilst photos of some of the most outlandish costumes are beamed to all corners of the internet world, fashion predictors and influencers - the likes of Anna Wintour (Chanel suits and Manolo Blahnik Carolynes), Emmanuelle Alt (cropped skinny jeans, well tailored jacket/blazer, pointy heels), Carine Roitfeld (pencil skirts and sky high heels) are equally pursued by street style photographers. Interestingly, they never seem to veer from their individual uniforms. They have their own styles regardless of fashion trends. On one hand, they may preach the gospel of fashion, on the other, they're not followers. How hypocritical. And guess who we admire more. Yup, those who stuck to their guns.

At times, the current obsession with all things fashion reminds me of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale story "The Emperor's New Clothes". Do we blindly follow fashion trends just because the cool people wear it? Are we concentrating more on our exterior than working on our inner self? Has looking good taken precedence over the importance of being kind and thoughtful?

Photo credit: Tommy Ton for Style.com