The book or the movie?

When a film adaptation (from books) comes out, do you read the book first or watch the movie first? Or just watch it and give a damn about reading? I usually prefer reading beforehand. However I found myself wondering which option will give maximum utility to the beholder after attending the premier of Catching Fire (thanks Sabrina and Xin Wen!) last Wednesday. Post movie marathon, I was aware of my heightened sense of satisfaction, hence I wandered into this question. Of course, I read Catching Fire, from a free online version here.

Thanks to encountering Harry Potter late in life, I have set myself to read books pre-movie. It was a requirement that I unconsciously upheld. My reasons were: a) I do not want my creativity of visualization to be restricted by the fixed play out of the story in the movie b) I feel the need to understand the standpoint of the writer which may be compromised by poor execution of directors/ editing so the movie would "sell" c) To know the development of the original story. Yes, I do enjoy shouting out the results of characters' actions throughout the movie (mainly in my head to avoid malicious repercussions).... BUT since utility is the one in the limelight, shouldn't everything else be dropped?

My opinion: Experiment. Keeping in mind that every movie is subjected to many factors involved, try living both lives and see which one turns out better. There is such a thing as majority. Who knows, you could have the best of both worlds *inserts kitten floating in space with Miley cao-gan face*.

Below is not the outfit I wore to the premier, but what I wore on Sunday.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. The rest are below the already miserable par. 

Gypsy floral chiffon blouse from Miss Selfridge, staple black skinnies from Topshop, ethnic loafers bought from Kenanga Mall.

Trial and error.

On the surface, the camera is a simple gadget. All you have to do is aim, point and shoot. That is what I thought before possessing a DSLR (I do not own one) a few years back spiked your cool factor. Then, I came to know the plethora of models and how varied the functions are. Not a very technologically inclined person, I tried venturing into photography after being inspired by tumblr (yeah, I know) but only got as far as knowing what ISO is. Do not laugh at the ephemeron.

Although armed with a guidebook (never seriously reading, just skimming), I was still fumbling with the array of modes during my attempt on an outfit shoot. Amidst all the clumsiness, I managed to obtain a few passable shots. Thank goodness for photo editing softwares. The B&W effect saved the photos in which I looked like an oompa-loompa. Yay. Now, let's pretend photography is not confounding. 

Chiffon bomber jacket from Fabspy, tank top from H&M, skater skirt (so over-worn, cost per wear is reduced to cents) from Topshop, shoes from Nose and satchel from Charles & Keith. 

And yes, my face is shiny. Will powder the next time. Until then!

Random schmandom.

Allo! The weekends are here and are you psyched? Because I AM.
I have French lessons, band practice, rehearsals and yoga to look forward to... I mean TEDxYouth KL Is pretty replaceable right?

Failed sarcasm aside, I have rekindled my connection with music! Connection is when you start feeling groovy and unconsciously swing your torso extensions to the rhythm. Connection is when your cheeks and ears feel hot, and something fluid moves around in your body. Connection is when magic happens. I miss the skin prickling effect music gives you as you proclaim "yessssssssssssssssssssss..... this is my jam" behind closed teeth and proceed to jive. Yes, precisely? No? Okay.

Whether you are curious or not, I'll just give you the songs that make up majority of my YouTube history.

Marina and the Diamonds - How To Be A Heartbreaker
Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers
The Naked and Famous - All Of This
NONONO - Down Under
The Blow - True Affection
Lorde - Bravado
Lorde - The Love Club (I have her album on serious replay)
Lana Del Rey - Ride
Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know
The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather

Do click on a few. The songs are entertaining.

Before I sign off, the picks:

1. Houndstooth sweater with zipper shoulders from EmmyCubic, RM 42.
2. Printed shift dress from Bellecroft, RM 70.
3. Silver shorts from Temptations, RM 28.
4. Oxfords from Temptations, RM 86.
5. Satin slip from Topshop, RM 209.

Until next time!

Background is the Ancient Region of Anatolia in Cappadocia, Turkey. Credits: here.

Tiresome Tuesdays.

Lately I have been obsessed with slinky cami everythings. You cannot get enough of the strappy tops and swing-y midi dresses. Let's be real, your pyjamas do not even look that fabulous. My urge arises from instagram ootds from genuine, nonchalant style advocates: Rumi Neely, Olivia Lopez, Shea Marie, Alexandra Spencer and company. Boy oh boy, let the hunt begin.

So, my week was made better in company of the items splayed out on my sheet:

1) My rad ethnic scarf I bagged from Indonesia.

2) Reading material - September issue of Cosmic magazine, October's National Geographic magazine and The Hobbit (which I read in order to catch the movie premier on tv).

3) OPI's Alcatraz....Rocks from the San Francisco collection. This baby is my first textured polish in my collection. You will get mesmerized by the sparkle it gives off under the light.

4) Olive Body Butter from The Body Shop.

5) Green tea kit kat. Needless to say, I gobbled it up after I finished taking this shot.

6) Cozy over-worn jumper from Dorothy Perkins. 

Oh before I wrap up...

.....my family and I came close to owning a bulldog today. So in lieu of the real thing, here is a digitalised one in all its glamour. Check out the rest of the collection "Shake" by Carli Davidson here.

Over and out.

Chunky Sweats

It's sweater weather people! Aaaand in Malaysia that translates to mobile sauna (at least you lose calories sweating). Still, it is only in our climate that we get to wear the thickest of sweats with shortest of shorts. You will put the C in Cool. Plus, it's monsoon season! The chilly weather (relatively speaking) gives us another reason to reach for the nearest knit.

Sometimes I wish we had 4 seasons, like those perfectly depicted in the visual media. Do you not wish to wake up to a lawn/roadside full of crimson leaves and listen to the crunch when you tread on them? Do you not wish to wake up to a fresh blanket of powder and catch snowflakes on your tongue not caring if you look like a total idiot? Yea, me neither. That's why I opt for holidays. Kidding. I need to try my hand on layering! Think about how chic you will look in the Isabel Marant pour H&M coat or this one from Carven. I can only dream and drool.

So for all of you, I have rounded up some knits in our local circle of blogshops. Sure, you can get the Topshop/Zara/H&M/Mango/MissSelfridge kind, but we do not want to langgar baju so often right?

1. Rainbow fuzzy knit? Check. OBambi.

2. Yea, this version has been floating around tumblr and lookbook a while back. We still have to give in once in a while. Cool-ness, check. Fashion Sanity.

3. Something to make you look like the fun sort. Check. The Arrogant Minnie.

4. No, you can keep those scissors away. Cut shoulder knit? Check. Chic Valley.

So, WTF should you do with your life? Get a sweater now of course.

Background from the time I went to Bastei.

Slouch on.

Behold, my outfit for dinner out on a Sunday! This is one of the outfits I have been wanting to try out with the lace shorts I got... the one I have been giving too much love on this space. 

Apart from being infatuated with these shorts, I have begun to read up photography 101s. This ticks a box on my 2013 must-dos. Can I have a pat on my back now?

Oh, I finally sat for the SAT on Sat! (see what I did there?) And how it went, you ask? Well, I'm glad I booked another session in December. The SAT 1 paper is not really as tough, you just have to prepare, prepare and prepare. Initially I was intimidated by it - 25 minute essay, vast vocabulary and the duration of the paper (3 hours and 45 mintues!). But after completing a few practice tests, fear subsided and I found my momentum. Still, I was not prepared. You can never be fully prepared for any test. 

So would you like the deets now? 

Oversized slouchy top from Bershka, which I nearly put on sale but then decided (thankfully) that my mom should hold on to it. Shorts from Fabspy. Tote I scored during a recent holiday in Simpadan island (Indonesia). 

Now back to the last 3 minutes of Piala Malaysia.