Matthew Williamson @ H&M

On a spur of a moment, a friend and I decided to head down to check out the Matthew Williamson range at H&M. It was launched the day before in Shanghai and many of the smaller sizes were sold out. I guess that's one comfort for plus sizes like me!

I love his use of bold, vivid colors and the way fabric is draped to create a very light feeling about his pieces. He's managed to creatively added embroidered details as highlights too, and I love embroidary quite a bit.

An overall very "beachy" feel to this collection.

I like it.

Pictures from http://www.h&m.com/

Eye candy shoes

Aren't these gems pretty?

Unfortunately they don't come in my size.

So I can only drool over them as eye candy.

Pout.

eShopping

Ok, don't laugh but I have acquired a reputation among some of my friends in Shanghai for being "Taobao Queen".

I wouldn't say that I am really one, it's just that most of my mates are just too busy to sit down and figure out how this amazing eCommerce site works. Not to mention the fact that everything is IN Chinese.

Remember how your Chinese teacher told you to not talk in class and to pay attention? Well, apparently this is WHY we learn Chinese. To Shop.

Or maybe it is just me.

For those who do not know, Taobao is the Chinese equivalent of eBay. Except that its so much more 'cos there is a limit to what you can find in eBay e.g. counterfeits. I've been able to find most things that I can think of from Taobao. Both real AND fakes. The trick is getting the right search term to track the item down. In the right language, of course.

You browse, click and viola! it turns up on your doorstep a few days later. My mates laugh and say its just easier to send me the link and I pass the final goods to them, they say its a much more hassle-free process. Seeessshhhhh.

And since I work full time and try to be a Mom to R as much as I can, that leaves me not much time and opportunity to hit the shops. (You can hear Mr B's sigh of relief in the background, can't you?). I lunch at my desk most work days so that I can leave on the dot to be home for that 1 hour before Miss R hits the sack. So how do I know what's the latest in the shops? You got it. Online research!

Online shopping is actually a habit I acquired during my investment banking days. When I was in the office all day, as in literally, ALL day, EVERYDAY. Glued to my chair and often so stressed out, I used to just go to online shops to check out latest fashions, reviews, haunt sales items etc. Naturally, I became really good at multi-tasking...and eShopping.

So for the un-initiated, here is a Taobao Field Guide in English.

Don't say that I never share my widgets of wisdom!

Traditional kebayas

I have always been in love with traditional ethnic fashion and delight in discovering new ways that the traditional fare is being interpreted.

Look at the Kebayas by Boutique Hana in Indonesia. Here on the left is the Hijau Mellisa. I love the color and neckline, especially the feathers at the wrists.

Each piece by this boutique is so unique and exquisite and filled with incredibly delightful details. Each is like a work of art, masterfully crafted to show off the feminine form at its best. Each curve is artfully manipulated to ensure that the eye is led from one intricate detail to another.

It is really a testament to how beautiful fashion can be.

Essential oils in Shanghai

I've been meaning to pop by these shops to check out their essential oils offering. I'm by no means an expert in this field but have always wanted to learn more about aromatherapy since I believe in its healing properties.

• Herbal shop on Shaoxing lu, appr halfway between the Vienna Cafe and Shanxi nan lu (opposite side Vienna Cafe)
• Fumin lu 152 (they sell dried herbs, and I think I remember essential oils as well)
• NUZI on Taikang lu (No.30, Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu), they sell products from New Zealand http://www.nuzi.com.cn/

HK: Wing Shing

A note for myself as I am still waiting for the go ahead to buy a DSLR...

Wing Shing
G/F, 55-57 Sai Yeung Choi St., MG/F, 55-57 Sai Yeung Choi St., Mongkok
(map see attached map (the second one from the map) http://www.wingshingphoto.com/contact.php)

Notes:

• Best shop in HK to buy electronics
• Middle of mongkok, so very very busy area
• Only sell original, so you will have warranty, but make sure it has that in China as well because some brand only do HK warranty
• The price there is a bit cheaper and also comes with a lot of free gift, sometimes is free battery or memory card, tripod stuff like that
• Almost all photographer in HK go that shop to buy cameras and lens (at least compare the price)
• Speak good enligh and very professional.
  

Underwear, socks and jelly shoes

I was on leave today and R and I decided to head to town to get some new basics for her wardrobe - socks and underwear. She rode the fire engine strategically placed at the entrance of Mothercare while I tried to figure out if she REALLY needed a 5-6 year old size for her underpants. Turns out, yes she did. Her current 4-5 year old ones gives her wedges. What 3 year old getting wedges? Apparently one who inherits her mom's and grandma's lovely rear end.

I also stocked up on some knee highs for school. It was a pretty good sale (30% off briefs and vests, Buy 2 socks and get 3rd pair free) and I now realise that I should have stocked up more since she goes through quite a few undewear every few months. So I guess we'll head back there this weekend.

I then stopped by Bata and found a pair of casual sandels for her which cost $14.95. We were nearly done when my cutesy spied a pair of jelly sandels and said that she liked them. I'm all for being democratic and so we tried them on and she really, really loved them. So much so that I relented and bought them for her. Thrilled as she was, she immediately asked to wear them.

We had to stop at every mirror we walked past after since she needed to see them again and again after. They are cute in a retro way. Too bad the adult jelly shoes I saw cost $49.95 and not $12.95 like hers did!

Ear covers

Winter is kind of a cool season to dress for, and its probably the tropical island girl in me that's saying that.

Layers, colors, textures and twiddly bits of accessories like scarves, boots, mittens, ear muffs, stockings....You can tell how fascinated I am by these bits.

I can endlessly gush about cute wintery outfits and go all out when it comes to Rebecca's wardrobe. I found these adorable knitted ear muffs in cream at H&M the other day and HAD to get them for my little girl. She was absolutely floored when I showed them to her and look! how she loves them.

Too bad they only stayed on for the 5 minute walk from our home to the car.

Pointy shoes

I have a stash of shoes that have not been broken into yet as I'm waiting for the perfect occassion or outfit for them. Today, I was just feeling like I deserve a new pair of shoes, so these came out of the closet.

They are sharp and pointy and befitting of my mood today.

P.s. That's my office carpet. Can't really say I love the streaks.

Same ole pair

I looked at my shoe cabinet today and its full. Well, before you are quick to judge, I do have to share this cabinet with B and nanny. Alright, nanny only has 2 pairs of shoes but B does have quite a few. He takes up about 40% (I measured!) of the shelf space and I take up the rest. Ok, if your REALLY wanted to know, 2 of my shelves are double stacked. Happy with the confession?

Well, that bring me back to my point. Why then, with a cupboard full of shoes, do I pick the SAME pair to wear to work everyday ? Its always a black pair, with low skinny heels. The last I checked, the rubber bit on one of the heel has given way and is already saying hi to me. Yes, I know I need to get it to the Shoe ER aka Mr Nice Cobbler Opposite My Office. But I've been procrastinating. Maybe it also has to do with the fact that I'm nearly always in dark colored pants. Note to self: Shop more? *grin*

I need to make a point to get around the OTHER shoes. One should not show obvious favoritism, I'm sure you agree. Let me work on spreading my love around.