Handsome Like A Gent

'Handsome like a gent'--the first thing that came to my mind when my friend required us to wear costumes for her birthday.

I always always imagine if I were a man, I would automatically assume that one of the many must-do things as a man, would be to learn and master the art of wearing a suit perfectly (and of course other clothing as well).
There are of course a lot more items on my If-I-Were-A-Man list, but this is one of the many things: to dress well.

For guys, when in doubt, suit up. 

Well-dressed men are rare.
They should be put on the 'list of endangered sub-species of human beings', if there is one.
(Okay, it is really obvious that I love making lists.)
Oh! And with a remark that says in bold--'HIGHLY PRECIOUS.'
Ok, my imagination is running a bit too wild but you see what I mean.

Whenever I see this picture below, I could only have 4 different reactions, I nod and exclaim:
1) So damn right!
2) So fucking true! (or without the f word)
3) Hell, yes!
4) Amen.

The question is: why don't men care about what they wear, while women seem to care about nothing except for what they wear?
Just generalization here, not stereotyping.
I think about this all the time and I am sincerely looking for inspiration or possible answers if any of my readers wanna share with me their thoughts.

Being well-dressed has nothing to do with wearing expensive designer clothes (though a thick wallet certainly helps).
It goes beyond wear suits, men could look very good even in very casual clothing.
It is all about the style; how they choose and carry items that fit them.
It is about the ability to allow people to have glimpses of him through his choice of clothing and accessories.
It is about how he mix-and-matches items to create different outfits and looks: the combination of colours and the witty mix of different fabrics, textures and patterns.

Love patterns and those checks!

Creating outfits, not to mention developing a personal style, certainly takes time, a bit of thinking/creativity, attention to details and some trial-and-error.
But not too difficult, right?
Or just that men don't care and don't bother to leave their 'nothing boxes'?
This might sound difficult and troublesome to those men who wanna leave their place just throwing on a clean (or least dirty) t-shirt and shorts.
But it is really less challenging than most men think (though I could never experience how men think).

My dear male readers, it'd be assuring and relieving to tell you that from a woman's perspective (just mine), being well-dressed simply means two things:
1) Pick and wear clothes that suit you, pay attention to details
2) Bare in mind the one goal: Look clean and neat.
That's it. Nothing fancy.

On one hand, I understand that most men don't care enough about what they wear.
On the other hand, sometimes women are not very good helpers in helping their men dress properly.

According to my observations, most women have shamefully little knowledge in menswear.
Take the example of suits, I guess most women (at least the ones I know) have little, if any, idea about different cuts of men's suits like American, British and European.
Not to mention their differences.
Speaking of that, I have to admit that I get them mixed up and get myself confused all the time that I have to check the references almost every time.
That's the point. See? We women know so little about what our guys are wearing!

One of the 'references' that I always check, about different types of collars and cuffs:

I think that might account for the fact that women don't spend enough time shopping with their men in the men's section--little knowledge and thus, lack of a good eye on men's fashion.
Well, but to be honest, most women simply lack the patience to enjoy shopping with their men.
But that's another problem, a much worse or fundamental one.

Anyway, I am CRAZY about men's fashion, esp preppy and classy styles and suits.
Take a look at my Tumblr and you will see plenty men's fashion pics. (Click here)

Somehow I think it is incredibly sexy for a woman to wear menswear-inspired clothes (Will explain this further in upcoming posts, please be patient.)

When I was thinking about who as my inspiration for my 'Handsome like a Gent' theme, I did have a few men in mind.

In the end, I came up with a Sherlock Holmes-or-Dr-Watson-inspired outfit. (The movie with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, not the TV series).
Houndstooth trousers, white shirt with elbow pads, a tie from my dad, a grey hat and a very pretty men's vest.

Houndstooth trousers, white shirt with elbow pads, a tie from my dad, a grey hat and a very pretty men's vest.
Dressed like a gent and had a great night out with my girls,
a hybrid of birthday party and Halloween costume party, wonderful! :)

From BCBG

Guys, I hope this post shows you that a woman could be interested and crazy about menswear which hopefully encourages you to start paying attention to what you wear (or motivate you to stay stylish).
Ladies, do give yourself little fashion challenges of rocking menswear-inspired outfits. It's great fun!

The best part? You can do this whenever you want, not just Halloween!
The reason why I bought the hat and the vest is that I REALLY think they are very nice.
I'd definitely wear them and incorporate them as a part of my wardrobe, not just costumes!



Ladies and gentlemen, wanna be handsome like a gent? :)

Love,
N

P.S. A lot more (actually a series of) upcoming posts on menswear inspiration for both guys and girls, stay tuned!

I Think I Need Coffee...

'I think I need a coffee,' I said to myself, dispassionately.

'Could I have a cold Vietnamese drip coffee first?' I said to the waiter before the food menu was in my hands.

I don't even need to look at my parents to know that they were looking at me. 

Not just looking, but staring.

But how incredible parents they are--they want to ask but they won't let out a single word.
Probably because they know their daughter well--I will answer their questions before they ask.

Well, their eyes were asking me the question: why are you drinking coffee, my no-coffee daughter?

'I'm having a headache,' I answered, equally dispassionately.

Their eyes really couldn't lie, they continued to ask me 'why are you having a headache, my no-headache daughter?' without my parents opening their lips.

'Yea, I don't normal drink coffee and I don't get headache unless I have been crying like crazy or being sick. 

But I'm having both of them today, a coffee and a headache. Let's just say...this is a special Sunday.'

Their eyes just kept shooting me questions: so are you sick or did you cry all night long?

Curious parents have curious children. Now I know where my curiosity is from.

'I'm not sick and I did not cry all night long. It is probably just a hangover from last night, drinking till late and sleeping in the morning,' I was still having a poker face. 

Poker face...I don't know if I were feeling that bad that I couldn't care to smile or just that I was sending them the message 'I'm okay. I know you love me but no more questions.' with my facial expression.

I kept my head down, reading the menu...

Pho. 

Oh yes, one of my comfort foods. I need one now.

I remember the days when I lost appetite and couldn't sleep. 

Then the first thing I ate when I eat again was a simple shredded chicken pho.

And a raspberry sorbet which was sour enough to wake me up a bit, in a good and refreshing way.
It was only in June.
What month is it now, October?
How come it feels so far away already?
How come things changed so much already?

'Yes, a pho please. In hot soup. With limes and hot chili,' I ordered, before memories bring my mind away too far.

Headache, lost appetite, fatigue, nausea, slightly upset and feeling cold...
Sounds like it's a hangover. But why am I still feeling it now?

Even when I didn't drink!

Oops...I did. But I ONLY drank a beer last night! 

By the way, that Yebisu all malt beer at the Japanese restaurant was more bitter than eating an actual bitter melon.

Anyway, this question in my mind is: Is this a hangover, worried and stressed or me being depressed?

Well, the Vietnamese coffee did helped me a bit.
It doesn't taste as good as the one I tried before but of all the things that were on my mind, I couldn't care less about the taste of that one coffee I had in that Vietnamese restaurant.
As long as it wakes me up and stops the headache, it has done its job.

Today I'm still feeling the symptoms so I started the day drinking a cup of lemon water.
Juice of half a lemon, no sugar, dilute with water. Gulp it down before anything.
I do this every now and then as some sort of juice detox so I'm used to it.
It doesn't taste bad at all.
Gonna do this all through the week. Hope it works.

The question remains: Hangover, stress or depressed?

Maybe all three together and magnifying each other.
I don't like the nasty cocktail of the three combined!

Have to gulp down more juice and water while keep hushing myself,
'it's okay. This too shall pass, this too shall pass...'

Love,

N

On Making Mistakes and Being One

Recently I went to an interview, an easy one.
One of the questions goes more or less like this:
'To err is human, please tell us some of the mistakes that you have made in your life, how you feel and what you do in response to them. It can be mistakes you made when you were studying or working.'

They only wanted to know how I deal with crises and manage unfavorable circumstances at work.
Somehow this question came into my mind again, for a different reason.

You know what?
Making mistakes is perhaps not the worst---being one is.

Have you ever felt like you are a mistake?
No, I am not referring to an unexpected child.
I'm referring to that subjective feeling of which one has--the delicate mixture of being both inadequate and excess at the same time.
And also the guilt and self-blame that come along with it.
Sometimes, even knowing that I'm blessed and loved, I feel that life is a series of mistakes.
Worse, sometimes I feel like I am a mistake myself.

Feel like I shouldn't have appeared in certain people's lives.
Sometimes I imagine if people I know would be better-off without me.
What if my existence is a mistake by default?

Whether or not I'm a good person or a bad one is not relevant, it has nothing to do with me being helpful or not.
It doesn't even matter what I do or what I don't.
The simple fact of being at people's lives at the wrong timing can be a mistake by default already.
Pretty much like the idea of 'original sin', a concept which I detest.
Oh, I fucking hate that idiotic bullshit of original sin.
But, at the same time, I'm feeling almost exactly the same thing.
How ironic.

Sometimes I feel doomed and touching upon people's lives a mistake, for two reasons:
1) My action or inaction would turn into a mistake sooner or later.
2) My insignificance. My action or inaction would not change anything.

Sounds like that stupid hamster running inside the wheel.
1) Whether or not it runs on it doesn't matter
2) The spinning wheel is gonna spit it out sooner or later. The hamster is gonna fall, just a matter of time.
3) It doesn't matter how hard it tries or how fast it runs. It is always stuck there, on the very same spot.

Do the hamster not learn anything?
Do I not learn anything?
Why do I feel like I'm stuck at the same cycle and same sort of problems over and over again?

Around this time last year, I was saying, 'don't be afraid of being wrong. Enjoy making mistakes! Life would be boring if you spend your life only doing the right things.'
And today the opposite. Don't know if my thought or mindset has changed but at least how I currently feel
I don't expect myself to change the world, but at the same time I don't expect myself to be pressing/ a source of trouble.
So, tell me, what has changed: the situation or me?

Guess I should blame everything on myself, since I'm the one who said 'there is something wrong with the female brain.'
Well, at least there's one thing I am right about.
No one is to be blamed. Just me and my female brain.
Sorry, I'm just a woman.

Love,
N

Chanel No. 5

Up to the moment when you are reading this, I am still not sure if I should write this critique on Brad Pitt & Chanel No. 5's new ad campaign.

First of all, I do not particularly like the brand Chanel.
Coco Chanel is a strong-willed and talented woman who I respect. Salute to the remarkable and inspiring Coco Chanel. But the fashion house that she founded is becoming more and more dull, always the same old stuffs are make a girl appear to be old and boring; quilted handbag, tweed jackets or suits, monochrome and fake pearls, etc.

Coco Chanel

And it seems to worsen, let's take a sneak peek at the 2013 S/S Collection, should we?

If there is a competition on ridiculous ugly and impractical fashion pieces, meet one of the winners!

Hula hoop bag from Chanel's 2013 Spring/Summer Collection. 

I wonder who'd get this, even the smaller ones are ugly.

Second, I dislike Karl Lagerfeld.
While acknowledging the fact that he is internationally influential and talented, he is overrated. Like most old men, he constantly makes random yet unacceptably rude comments like calling Newsweek a 'shitty little paper', saying that Kate Middleton's sister Pippa has a terrible face and should only show her back etc. And it seems like he is eternally stuck with his complex over his age by dressing like a gothic teenager.
Even though I should be putting his picture here, I am not going to because that man is unbearable and I'm not sorry for saying that.

Third, Chanel No. 5 the fragrance does not appeal to me.
If one has to name the most famous women's fragrances in this century, Chanel No. 5 is sure to be on the list.
But if I am to name a fragrance that perhaps even my grandma wouldn't wear it, it is got to be the same Chanel No. 5 too.
When sex icon Marilyn Monroe was asked what she wore to bed, she declared 'a few drops of Chanel No.5', making the perfume very famous.
Okay, okay, I know all that history.


It is described as classic and how a woman should smell like.
Do I wanna smell like that? No, thanks.

Perhaps it is the fact that Chanel No. 5 was formulated in 1920s that makes the fragrance smells a bit...outdated?
Or the opposite--perhaps I'm not mature and feminine enough for it?
That I do not know.

I have never liked it since I first smelled it.
To be fair and responsible to what I write (even though this is just a personal blog), I tried it again lately. Both on paper and on skin.
Still, I do not like it.
For a few reasons:
1) It doesn't suit me nor my age. I imagine that it suits mature women more, probably my great grandmother if she is still alive. But my guess is that she would find it appalling too.

2) Complicated and intoxicatingly overpowering. Yes, intoxicatingly.
Having 80 different ingredients in one single fragrance formula sounds a bit too much, while I have to admit that I do not know the usual average number.
In general, I am more into floral scents. Spicy tones? I can handle that too.
But Chanel No. 5? It smells like a mixture of everything pungent, so overpowering that it literally gives me a headache.

Up to this point, I guess I've made it clear that Chanel No. 5 cannot make it to my fragrance shelf.
So, why am I writing this post when I have so many reasons not to?
The mere fact that this is the very first time that Chanel is using a man to speak for its fragrance.
First male face fronting for this ad campaign,
Brad Pitt, one of the world's sexiest men (which I humbly disagree even though his sexiness is actually none of my business), one of world's most famous fragrances, famous director...this combination sounds very fail-proofed.

To be honest, I was having some expectations for the new ad.
I was curious and imagining what it would be like.
Despite this seemingly fail-proofed combination, let's say it turned into a recipe for disaster.
Lesson learnt: One only gets disappointed when having too high expectations.

He looks much better in this picture...

and this picture.

This ad campaign has brought Brad Pitt US$7 mil.
Quite some easy money, considering his 'labour' in this 30-second video.
Grey-ish dull, inconsistent-lit room (perhaps to match with the line 'the world turns and we turn with it'?), Brad Pitt's fake and exaggerating pronunciations, his empty and focus-less eyes that kept looking here and there, etc.
I watched the video for half a dozen times, NOT because I like it but because I can't believe how bad it is.
The first 2 times went past very quickly because I was jaw dropped, not amused nor amazed, but thinking, 'what?! Seriously?! This is it?!'
The next few times, my response was 'this is unbelievable, they are shameless in making this and actually releasing it!'
The last time and my final comment was, 'poor Brad Pitt...This vid might boost publicity as if he is not popular enough. But, what an eternal flaw to his career!'

The ad that disappointed me

Come on! Man, woman and fragrance. What else?
It shouldn't be too difficult to come up with something nicer that what the vid is.
Any lame love story would have been much better than this 'my luck, my fate' thing.
Shouldn't it be sensuous?
Shouldn't it appeal to our senses?
Shouldn't it be seductive, alluring, teasing and tempting?
Shouldn't it be about the art of attraction without using a single word?
Shouldn't it be like the endless battle of seduction and love between the sexes?
Shouldn't it be like a sexy tango, a tender lingering touch, a passionate kiss, the stare before the kiss, a flirtatious but meaningful and wise conversation or an exciting romantic adventure?
Seriously, what else?

Dear readers, if you were to direct an ad campaign for any fragrance, what would it be like? 
What is/are your favourite fragrance(s) for men or for women?
Whatever your preferences are, just one rule: always smell nice. :)

Love,
N

Bohemian at Home

As the weather cools and I recently dig out my maxi dresses, I have been wearing my plain, soft and flow-y maxi dresses around the house.
No, I don't wear them all year round, this is just a part of my start-of-autumn madness.
I have been wearing them so often these days that my mum can't help but asked me a question, 'are you becoming a bohemian?'

I didn't expect my mum asking this. But before I even think carefully to answer with a yes or no, I heard my own response, 'I wish, but I'm just a bohemian at home.'
Being a wild child at heart, the idea of being an urban bourgeoisie bohemian is truly tempting.
Yea, 'god knows what an urban bourgeoisie bohemian is!' I can hear that.
I invented that word to represent my ideal bohemianism.
My ideal bohemian is carefree, unconventional, artistic, spontaneous, unearthly and sees love (any type of love) bigger than anything.
But no casual sex, no voluntary poverty and most definitely no lack of concern for personal hygiene.

Soon after my mum's comment on my loungewear, I came across a bohemian style collection which I showed to her and said, 'now THAT'S what I call a bohemian at home!'

So, here it is, Novella Royale's 2012 Fall lookbook.
Not a big fan of floral prints because it's too cute and girly for me, but I adore soft and delicate lace!

 Soft chiffon tops

Crotchet lace top

 Drooling over this pair of lace pants! I WANT IT!

Oh, I want it!

Not a big fan of floral prints because it's too cute and girly for me, but I adore soft and delicate lace!
Dear readers, what do you wear at home?
Have you ever imagine living like a carefree bohemian?

Love,
N

Oh Deer!

If, just if, you can have any wild animal on earth as pet, what would you choose?
Being a wild child, I have a hard time answering my own imaginary question--it is simply too difficult to limit my answer to one!
But I can be very sure to tell you that among all the wildlife animals, I'd love to have a fawn or a deer.
I know, I know.
Living in a semi-tropical city where living space for human is already scarce and pricey, having a pet fawn is not only expensive but also a ridiculously selfish and inhumane act.
But this is just an imagination.
Yes, I want a fawn, please.

My love for this graceful animal started since I was small.

Their round, dark, innocent and watery eyes.
Their slender long legs.
The way they jump--so effortlessly, so swiftly.
The colour of their fur, and the white spots.
The antlers male deers have, those majestic antlers and their beautiful angles.
Their gentleness, timidness and shyness.
Their quiet and gentle nature.
Their grace.

I remember watching Bambi when I was very small.
Thanks to Bambi, I came to getting the idea that fawns have spots as camouflage to help them hide and keep them safe.
Knowing that I was also very small and my mum called me a baby, I thought, 'maybe I have spots on my back too, just that I couldn't see them!'
I remember lying among cushions on the sofa, thinking that I could blend in and my mum couldn't see me.
Of course, she found me with ease and asked what I was doing.
I pointed at Bambi.
Wasn't I silly?
Somehow this personal anecdote of mine always makes me wonder if my future baby would do the same.

Those majestic horns

Another memory about deers happened on one of my trips to Japan. Also when I was a small kid.
It was the first time that I saw deers. Almost a dozen of them.
It was somewhere near a shrine, a rather quiet and unusual sightseeing spot.
It was a cold winter and my hands were cold even under the gloves.
My parents bought a few grilled/ roasted sweet potatoes from the stalls nearby, as snacks and also to warm our hands.
Those deers then slowly appear before us--they knew we are gonna share.
They are larger and taller than I was.
I didn't know what to do except standing close to my parents.
But god! Those animals are beautiful.
They moved and walked so gracefully, came before us and did something very unexpected--they bowed.
Apparently these animals learned this trick to get food.
But me as a little girl, fascinated by their grace and gentleness, thought they are trying to be friends with us.
My mum encouraged me to feed a smaller deer with a small piece of sweet potato put on my palm.
I did.
The doe walked near. Her eyes were dark but bright and round.
She bowed, ate the potato and licked my fingers.
I still remember vividly that the way she licked my fingers--gently, as if she was saying 'thank you'.

Maybe my fascination with deers has a lot to do with how I innocently perceived them in my childhood.
But the thing is, I grow up still fascinated
Deer becomes one of the things that I draw.
I have two deer figures as decorations in my bedroom, bought from FrancFranc.
Sometimes I search for information about this lovely animal, learning that they make very loving pets.

I found out that an iconic lady kept a pet fawn which would accompany her on her grocery trips, slept by her side, followed her around and considered her the mother.
This iconic lady was equally graceful and cute.
She was Audrey Hepburn. And the fawn was named Pippin.

I also found out a beautiful artwork, by Peregrine Honig, called the Twin Fawns and the sad story behind them. (Peregrine Honig's website, click here)

The Twin Fawns

These sleeping beauties look as if they are peacefully and quietly sound asleep.
Their closeness, the way they were positioned--nose-to-nose.
They are beautiful; gentle, tender, sweet.
They look so fragile.
But the sad thing is: they were never born.
The mother doe was dead and her body was by the side of a road.
Someone found her and wanted to dispose her body properly. Then they found out she was pregnant.
Having twins is a rare thing for deers.
Amazed by their beauty and rarity, the full-grown fawns were taken out and preserved.
A say story and a beautiful work of art, nature's beautiful work of art.

So, readers, I picked fawn to be my imaginary dream pet.
Oh dear (or deer), what is yours?

Love,
N

Sorry Ladies, Men's Only

Sometimes I wonder, how many guys are there among my readers?

I suppose not many.

If you belong to the minority and like fashion, gentleman, this post is dedicated to you.

Gentlemen, meet Club Monaco's first men's only pop-up store in Hong Kong.

As it is a pop-up store, it is open from now to June 2013.
The cute little green shop,  surrounded by equally cute boutiques and coffeehouses, is located in the artsy part of Wanchai.

Apart from Club Monaco's own line, it also carries other brands that won't fail to charm you.

Though it targets male customers, it wins my heart with its style.

The style is somewhat between Americana and Preppy.
Casual but with a hint of preppy-ness, agree?

Whatever that style is, it is such a delight.
For a woman's point of view, it is a lot better than the typical style, if there is any, of menswear in this city.

Baggy pants, men's leggings/tights, ridiculous sneakers, a Gucci/LV bag...

Don't even let me start listing. *bitchily rolling my eyes*

I already spotted some lovely items that make me say, 'if I were a man, I'm gonna get this!'
Let's see if you can spot anything that delights you.

I see some cute ties over there.

Sweaters with elbow pads! And polka dot socks!

The grey tie and the tartan one next to it, the green tartan one. And shirts in red checks.

More ties.

Unfortunately, or I should say fortunately, I am not a man. Or else I would still break my bank account.
But still, I could get a few accessories (and/or shirts!) that I adore.

Sunnies make me happy.

One thing to note is that this glass box itself is a vintage of over a hundred years!

Um...cute flask

Very adorable hangers. If I could only get 5 items from the shop, they are definitely on my keep list!

Ladies, isn't this shop a nice new spot to go shopping with/for your man?
Shopping with your man doesn't have to be boring or unpleasant, or basically JUST you choosing items for him and sending him to the fitting room.

As much as some of us get annoyed shopping with their men, I have to be honest and fair--guys don't get enough appreciation when they accompany us on our countless shopping trips!!
Yes, you know 'countless' is the right word for your shopping habit.
He has been patient and sweet all the time.
So, time for him to have fun shopping, right?

Guys, I see your nodding heads. :)

Love,
N