bittersweet

fashion musings. culinary adventures. things that put a smile on my face.
Vintage Fashion: Old Gold or Plain Old? “Where did you get your top?” “Oh, it’s vintage!” Tell me you have not heard those lines before. Emma Watson donned vintage Ossie Clark dress for Harry Potter premier. Factories are racing to feed us with vintage-inspired clothes. Thrift shops are now flooded with the young and hip as opposed to a few quirks and indies. Vintage has never been more mainstream that it is now. What is it with the hype in what formerly deemed as junk? I was pondering of the reasons why these people (including me) are hunting for bunch of clothes coming from the 20s to 80s. Yes, the material quality is top notch, and today the world is starting to care for the environment hence clothes recycling is the way to go. But, really people? Do we really aim for long-term usage when we shop? Our Blackberries and iPods certainly do not think so. There must be something beyond this craze that even the Chinese do not deem secondhand clothing as a sin anymore. I remember how I used to get a certain stare when I said my brown leather sling bag used to be mum’s. When you are in a Chinese community, going thrifting is a secret you should keep to yourself. But now I see metropolitan city kids in Indonesia flocking Bandung not merely for factory outlet clothes but the major secondhand market. Same goes to the A-listers. Those with good eyes for vintage items are now our role models. We fell for Tavi Gevinson and her Style Rookie since its first bloom; adoring her grandma fashion musing. Florence and the Machine is exciting not only for their Dog Days are Over but also for Ms. Welch’s vintage vibe. Zooey Deschanel is now a mainstream darling with her vintage prep – noone sees her the way she is seen today 5 years ago. She is suddenly the trendsetter as opposed to the indie kid. And then it hit me. That we all are hungry for vintage items for there are so much identity in it. When we see shift dresses, we know it is the mod style from the 60s. Full skirts and perms belong to the 50s, wide-legged pants to the 70s. There is enough time for trends to develop, be absorbed, and define an era. A pleated dress never tried to be anything more than it is supposed to be, no over the top floral details, for instance. Vintage fashion respects clothes by letting each part of them shine. Such kind of purity is lacking in modern clothes - we excessively see cheap chiffon dresses with Peter Pan collars in today’s boutiques. Fashion trends could never be separated from role models of an era. There used to be only Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, and Twiggy setting trends. But today people look up to completely different figures – be it from the indie scene, the pop, the punk, the bloggers, other street stylers. The world is so connected that it enriches fashion trends in a way. But, it also is blurring the era. There is no name for the millennium era after the baggy 90s. Is it a sign that people are now seeking to rediscover communal identity through the resurrection of vintage fashion? Could as well be. Designers would not hail vintage fashion for inspiration if the era is not worth of celebrating. The time is moving so fast that sometimes we get overwhelmed by how fast Youtube sensations, social issues, and trending topics change. We long to have enough time to sit back and absorb new developments before the new ones arrive – the good old feeling we get when we listen to golden oldies on a Sunday morning with a printed magazine at hand. Such sentiment is the real gold beyond the plain old vintage pieces.

Vintage Fashion: Old Gold or Plain Old?

“Where did you get your top?”

“Oh, it’s vintage!”

Tell me you have not heard those lines before. Emma Watson donned vintage Ossie Clark dress for Harry Potter premier. Factories are racing to feed us with vintage-inspired clothes. Thrift shops are now flooded with the young and hip as opposed to a few quirks and indies. Vintage has never been more mainstream that it is now. What is it with the hype in what formerly deemed as junk?

I was pondering of the reasons why these people (including me) are hunting for bunch of clothes coming from the 20s to 80s. Yes, the material quality is top notch, and today the world is starting to care for the environment hence clothes recycling is the way to go. But, really people? Do we really aim for long-term usage when we shop? Our Blackberries and iPods certainly do not think so.

There must be something beyond this craze that even the Chinese do not deem secondhand clothing as a sin anymore. I remember how I used to get a certain stare when I said my brown leather sling bag used to be mum’s. When you are in a Chinese community, going thrifting is a secret you should keep to yourself. But now I see metropolitan city kids in Indonesia flocking Bandung not merely for factory outlet clothes but the major secondhand market.

Same goes to the A-listers. Those with good eyes for vintage items are now our role models. We fell for Tavi Gevinson and her Style Rookie since its first bloom; adoring her grandma fashion musing. Florence and the Machine is exciting not only for their Dog Days are Over but also for Ms. Welch’s vintage vibe. Zooey Deschanel is now a mainstream darling with her vintage prep – noone sees her the way she is seen today 5 years ago. She is suddenly the trendsetter as opposed to the indie kid.

And then it hit me. That we all are hungry for vintage items for there are so much identity in it. When we see shift dresses, we know it is the mod style from the 60s. Full skirts and perms belong to the 50s, wide-legged pants to the 70s. There is enough time for trends to develop, be absorbed, and define an era. A pleated dress never tried to be anything more than it is supposed to be, no over the top floral details, for instance. Vintage fashion respects clothes by letting each part of them shine. Such kind of purity is lacking in modern clothes - we excessively see cheap chiffon dresses with Peter Pan collars in today’s boutiques.

Fashion trends could never be separated from role models of an era. There used to be only Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, and Twiggy setting trends. But today people look up to completely different figures – be it from the indie scene, the pop, the punk, the bloggers, other street stylers. The world is so connected that it enriches fashion trends in a way. But, it also is blurring the era. There is no name for the millennium era after the baggy 90s.

Is it a sign that people are now seeking to rediscover communal identity through the resurrection of vintage fashion? Could as well be. Designers would not hail vintage fashion for inspiration if the era is not worth of celebrating. The time is moving so fast that sometimes we get overwhelmed by how fast Youtube sensations, social issues, and trending topics change. We long to have enough time to sit back and absorb new developments before the new ones arrive – the good old feeling we get when we listen to golden oldies on a Sunday morning with a printed magazine at hand. Such sentiment is the real gold beyond the plain old vintage pieces.

Crazy. I rolled eyes in my mind hearing the awkwardly titled ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’. But the next two keywords: Ryan Gosling, instantly hooked me up. I would describe it as ‘insanely good’, sucking what felt like a liter of tears out of me. This post, however, is not about the movie. Let me ask you, how many times have you described a movie, a song, or a person with the phrase ‘crazy/insanely ________ (fill in the blank with positive words)’? Crazy awesome. Mad genius. Freaking fantastic. Without realizing, our culture has been conditioned to believe that the outstanding superlatives naturally pair up with the disturbed state of mind. The current is such an irony to earlier century, which dismiss those regarded as mentally unhealthy. We are all familiar with how Einstein was not particularly a joy and pride of the society for his inability to care about his personal hygiene despite being a physics genius. Few understood Beethoven’s emotional swings albeit rare musicality. Those typical patterns in geniuses have finally gotten into people’s minds hence the expectations of weird acts to cement one’s genius social status. Danger Mouse, one half of duo Gnarls Barkley crafted ‘Crazy’ based on this belief: “I somehow got off on this tangent about how people won’t take an artist seriously unless they’re insane…” Tabloids questions artists who do not do drugs nor possess weird behaviors just because they are expected to do so. Today we are in a phase where only extremes gain attention, probably online information overload can be blamed for this. The weirdest, the worst, the most dramatic, and so forth. Society is thrilled to see how strange icons behave. John Galliano is one perfect example. The fashion genius with his outrageous and dramatic concepts are largely celebrated for decades. He constantly created to the world’s high praises to the days his career defeated him. He lost it, and the racist comments proved so. It is a tragedy soon shall halt, we all hope. Soul standout Amy Winehouse was never known for her sanity. Her work pathed way for Duffy even Lady Gaga herself, but her absent mind was constantly apparent. Wandering around at 4am in bras and panties, came out scarred and bruised after lover quarrels, she was anything but ordinary. And then we have people like Lindsay Lohan and now Miley Cyrus, who seemingly tried real hard to destroy themselves for the sake of popularity. Has society’s demand of genius and crazy intertwining come to a tragic outcome? That young starlets know only one shortcut to fame: get out of control and ‘lose it’. I say, in the age where odd beauties like Ann Ward is much celebrated, it is high time eyes are opened for the grey areas rather than pure black and white. photo credit: www.celebrific.com

Crazy.

I rolled eyes in my mind hearing the awkwardly titled ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’. But the next two keywords: Ryan Gosling, instantly hooked me up. I would describe it as ‘insanely good’, sucking what felt like a liter of tears out of me. This post, however, is not about the movie.


Let me ask you, how many times have you described a movie, a song, or a person with the phrase ‘crazy/insanely ________ (fill in the blank with positive words)’? Crazy awesome. Mad genius. Freaking fantastic. Without realizing, our culture has been conditioned to believe that the outstanding superlatives naturally pair up with the disturbed state of mind.


The current is such an irony to earlier century, which dismiss those regarded as mentally unhealthy. We are all familiar with how Einstein was not particularly a joy and pride of the society for his inability to care about his personal hygiene despite being a physics genius. Few understood Beethoven’s emotional swings albeit rare musicality.


Those typical patterns in geniuses have finally gotten into people’s minds hence the expectations of weird acts to cement one’s genius social status. Danger Mouse, one half of duo Gnarls Barkley crafted ‘Crazy’ based on this belief: “I somehow got off on this tangent about how people won’t take an artist seriously unless they’re insane…” Tabloids questions artists who do not do drugs nor possess weird behaviors just because they are expected to do so. Today we are in a phase where only extremes gain attention, probably online information overload can be blamed for this. The weirdest, the worst, the most dramatic, and so forth.


Society is thrilled to see how strange icons behave. John Galliano is one perfect example. The fashion genius with his outrageous and dramatic concepts are largely celebrated for decades. He constantly created to the world’s high praises to the days his career defeated him. He lost it, and the racist comments proved so. It is a tragedy soon shall halt, we all hope.


Soul standout Amy Winehouse was never known for her sanity. Her work pathed way for Duffy even Lady Gaga herself, but her absent mind was constantly apparent. Wandering around at 4am in bras and panties, came out scarred and bruised after lover quarrels, she was anything but ordinary.


And then we have people like Lindsay Lohan and now Miley Cyrus, who seemingly tried real hard to destroy themselves for the sake of popularity. Has society’s demand of genius and crazy intertwining come to a tragic outcome? That young starlets know only one shortcut to fame: get out of control and ‘lose it’.


I say, in the age where odd beauties like Ann Ward is much celebrated, it is high time eyes are opened for the grey areas rather than pure black and white.


photo credit: www.celebrific.com

A recent getaway to the neighboring country had got me lusting after a cute blonde girl with straight bangs (the kind you think only exist in paperdoll world), donning a shocking pink shift dress with matching stockings, arm to arm with her ‘BFF’. I did want the exact same stockings, I did try to gage if they were long enough. Embarrassing result aside, that got me wandering what is it with kids and their magic. We adore their lovely white tutus; we mimic their cute pout; we are dying to get their soft as silk hair – kids still impact our adulthood beyond admittance. Fashion world seems to be tickling our senses with little charms lately. We witnessed Hailee Steinfeld’s Miu Miu campaign in awe after the brand announced her as the new face. The film-noir inspired photoshoot was a big fuss even before it hit the glossies last July. Her mature being helped her in delivering the understated glam message. Nothing seemed wrong with this; she was all-covered with sheer makeup suitable for a 15-year-old. No big puffed hair, or sexy French tousled.. ..unlike the 10-year-old sexy photoshoot in Vogue. We were left with dropped jaws seeing how suggestive Thylane Blondeau appeared in French Vogue. Her heavy makeup, her adult poise, and her high heels gained global condemnation. Objectification, we simply thought in despair. The poor kid barely has any idea of what this dressing up game is all about, some other complains. Is there any chance that the kids really know what they actually want in life, hence the justification of being in the adult fashion world so early on? Thylane modeled for Jean Paul Gaultier when she was 5 while we need no reminder that Steinfeld was an extraordinary young actress that took our hearts away in True Grit. After all, Tavi Gevinson is 15 and is manning 40 employees in running her fantastic Rookie Magazine. We might not know what we wanted to do in life when we were a highschooler, maybe we still don’t, up to today. But these kids could as well be the superwomen of their generation – being born to smack us in our butts and take baby steps towards our rainbows and ponies. We tell ourselves we only want to keep kids’ cuteness. But more often than not, we want their courage to go ahead and their angelic blindfold towards what people say of how scary the ‘real’ world is. Yes Thylane may be the perfect example of how media corrupt young girls’ minds, but French Vogue should not be blamed for putting into prints what we sigh about in leisure gatherings. One fine day the tough criticism could slowly turn into standing ovation of her rare modeling qualities. Steinfeld and Fanning the ageless sisters have proven how they manage to stay sane and rocking the fashion world at the same time. And Tavi, well, the wonderkid has long stolen our hearts with her honest writing and fashion musing. At the end of the day, if we raise glasses for young winners of Science olympics, should not we cheer for young girls in high fashion, too? Photo credit: lifeisreallybeautiful.com

A recent getaway to the neighboring country had got me lusting after a cute blonde girl with straight bangs (the kind you think only exist in paperdoll world), donning a shocking pink shift dress with matching stockings, arm to arm with her ‘BFF’. I did want the exact same stockings, I did try to gage if they were long enough. Embarrassing result aside, that got me wandering what is it with kids and their magic. We adore their lovely white tutus; we mimic their cute pout; we are dying to get their soft as silk hair – kids still impact our adulthood beyond admittance.

Fashion world seems to be tickling our senses with little charms lately. We witnessed Hailee Steinfeld’s Miu Miu campaign in awe after the brand announced her as the new face. The film-noir inspired photoshoot was a big fuss even before it hit the glossies last July. Her mature being helped her in delivering the understated glam message. Nothing seemed wrong with this; she was all-covered with sheer makeup suitable for a 15-year-old. No big puffed hair, or sexy French tousled..

..unlike the 10-year-old sexy photoshoot in Vogue. We were left with dropped jaws seeing how suggestive Thylane Blondeau appeared in French Vogue. Her heavy makeup, her adult poise, and her high heels gained global condemnation. Objectification, we simply thought in despair. The poor kid barely has any idea of what this dressing up game is all about, some other complains.

Is there any chance that the kids really know what they actually want in life, hence the justification of being in the adult fashion world so early on? Thylane modeled for Jean Paul Gaultier when she was 5 while we need no reminder that Steinfeld was an extraordinary young actress that took our hearts away in True Grit. After all, Tavi Gevinson is 15 and is manning 40 employees in running her fantastic Rookie Magazine. We might not know what we wanted to do in life when we were a highschooler, maybe we still don’t, up to today. But these kids could as well be the superwomen of their generation – being born to smack us in our butts and take baby steps towards our rainbows and ponies.

We tell ourselves we only want to keep kids’ cuteness. But more often than not, we want their courage to go ahead and their angelic blindfold towards what people say of how scary the ‘real’ world is. Yes Thylane may be the perfect example of how media corrupt young girls’ minds, but French Vogue should not be blamed for putting into prints what we sigh about in leisure gatherings. One fine day the tough criticism could slowly turn into standing ovation of her rare modeling qualities. Steinfeld and Fanning the ageless sisters have proven how they manage to stay sane and rocking the fashion world at the same time. And Tavi, well, the wonderkid has long stolen our hearts with her honest writing and fashion musing. At the end of the day, if we raise glasses for young winners of Science olympics, should not we cheer for young girls in high fashion, too?

Photo credit: lifeisreallybeautiful.com

How long must an Indo stay in KL before she is entitled to experience a Pasar Ramadhan?

3 years!

Being a street-food enthusiast as I am (partly because I know my tummy is immune to ANYTHING), I have always been curious about this seasonal street market. Would it be just like another pasar malam? Would it be better?

I read all the reviews and get even curiouser about the likes of Muar briyani gam and ayam golek. Well I did not get to taste any of the stated - but I dare say the Bangsar Param was a food experience on its own.

It all started with the fruit rojak. Thick blackish sauce, completed with the fresh cut fruits and crispy keropok, topped with peanut crunches. The cracking sound your mouth makes explains how good the rojak was. Perfect as an entree - it makes you crave for more.

And with yong tau foo I continued. If you know me, I can’t say no to any yong tau foo. I HAVE to taste it :p It was so-so, by the way. Talking about yong tau foo, it was new to find so many Chinese food stalls around - dimsum, you tiao, bao.. I was quite amazed.

After a few rounds we decided to give the assam laksa a try. With  a huge pot of smoking broth, it looked rather promising. When it came, the noodle was a tad sticky but it was forgiven because the broth is indeed savoury and sweet. Just right. Mother was happy for it wasn’t spicy.

After a cup of air mata kucing and soya bean, the dessert should be putu piring. I was a putu piring virgin and I was blew away. It was properly steamed, with just the right amount of gula melaka in the centre. The coconut sprinkle on top of it makes the putu savoury. Perfect combo. And the way they made it was quite impressive - I have no idea how they manage to keep such a fragile dough together.

Verdict is, I cant wait for the next Ramadhan to hop around to more Params in KL!

Eid Mubarak, people!

 

When a Pizza-Cynic Got Blown Away..

So we spotted this old-skool canteen-like eatery during grocery shopping, and being old souls that we are, we set a date for Ben’s General Food Store.

I did my research and I was like: Ohh..pizza, hmm.. At least the ambience looks great!

But, when our ‘Il Carnivore’ (RM 24.90. Pizza ranges from RM 17.90-29.90) came, boy I fell so deeply for it from the very first bite into that melting hot cheese on top of the crunchy fresh-made crust! It was love until the last bite of fat sausage, beef jerky, and beef bacon. Meat goodness that is gonna make you crave for more instead of the usual fed-up feeling after the second pizza slice (or is it just me?)

Anyway, I have officially found the best pizza in my life! And the icing on the cake only makes it better: good oldies songs, PERRRRFECT berry milkshake (Mary Berry - RM 11.90. Choices including: Nutella, Lemon, and Banoffee Pie), and friendly service.

Recommended for: old souls, pizza lovers, milkshake lovers, and you who are not scared of ruining your diet with a meaty dinner!

 

Ben’s General Food Store,
Bangsar Village 1 (Ground Floor)
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2284-8790

THE Morrie from ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ (or Selasa bersama Morrie in the Indo version I read) organized his own memorial before he passed away, because he believed kind words go to waste when you only say it after someone dies.

Kenneth Chaw, a fellow classmate and dear friend, shared to me a message of saying your proper ‘thank you’s and ‘goodbye’s before you leave people you are close to, before you really have to go.

I have just inhaled the bitersweet breath of freedom from uni life, and before the moment passes on, this is my ‘THANK YOU!’s and ‘SEE YOU LATER!’ (because I do not believe in goodbyes).

Thank you Michelle Soh, Wong Woei, Apple, and Siew Theng for being my very first friends in uni.

Thank you Aizuddin for appreciating my academic progress since early semesters. I will never forget your sweet compliments and our talks about sinetron :)

Thank you Amanda, Ain, and Evon for being my presentation groupmates; for being easy and wonderful to work with, and for having faith in me :)

Thank you Alia for being my GS essay partner. I felt so good about it :)

Thank you Ankee, Stella, and Aurora for reminding me I still have my countrymen in the class ;)

Thank you Catherine, for always caring about my relationship. Appreciate it so much :)

Thank you Dewi, for being the annoying loud beautiful friend that you are. I would never be able to forget you even if I want to :p

Thank you Dina, for blending in so well with us FGCC-ians, and for the egg article too!

Thank you Dinusha, for picking us and drove us to a great dinner at Delicious

Thank you Dionne, for being so attentive and loving. I feel like I have a fierce big sister :)

Thank you Elaine for your inspiring personality. I love talking to you, so so much!

Thank you Jaslyn, for treating me like no stranger since early sems :)

Thank you Jessica, for your sincere concerns and nice talks :)

Thank you Kenneth, for having so much faith in me. I will miss you so very much, one of the most adorable friends I have ever had in life.

Thank you Leonard, for all the stylo comments, I feel so FAB! :D

Thank you Boon, for once being a nice MSN friend :)

Thank you Stephanie, for your forgiving heart and open arms :)

Thank you Manpreet, for sacrificing your time, credit, and energy just to help me out. Your persistence would bring you far :)

Thank you Mizna, for always remembering my name and waved at me even before I remember yours :)

Thank you Nadila, for the sincere friendship, you are always heart-warming :)

Thank you for being my lesbo partner, Lehbin :)

Thank you for your wake-up-call chirpy voice that cracks me up in between classes, Sabesha :)

Thank you Samuel, for reminding me to be more alert of my surroundings :)

Thank you Stacey and May-Belle for being so friendly since day 1 we became classmates :)

Thank you Sudhan, for your pure heart, endless energy, and helping hands. I will miss karaoke and movie with you :)

Thank you Vasenta, for your ghetto FB comments and motherly attitude, I feel so welcomed :)

Thank you Edmund, Esmee, Justin, Ying Ying, Marie, Michelle Chun, Neha, Peter, Siew Min, Joey, Pooiee, Cindy, and Kelzoe for making this 3 years more than bearable :)

Last but definitely not the least, thank you Michelle Tam, Akil Yunus, and Wong Boon Ken, for the best friendship I could ever imagined, for those motivations, understanding, and simply the best time in life for the past 2 years. Friends for life :)

I will see you next time, dearest fellow CMM/J classmates! All the very best to all of you :)

With love,

Nina

We have decided to take pictures daily, so we can cherish each day we have next to each other before our internships.

I like him around when I am high and hyper,

and also when I am down and (feeling) stupid

because I miss him all the time, even 5 minutes after he went home, like now..

Featured!

Just discovered my featured style-shot on Garbagelapsap, and I have butterflies in my tummy! HIHI!

Wasn’t really aware of who Nicholas, or what Garbagelapsap was. Michelle told me he is big, sort of like a Malaysian Sartorialist. I have been checking the site eversince, it is nice to adore his unique angle in photos. At the same time, wondering if at all my feature is ever gonna come out. Well, the wait is over ;) Let me be vain and say that i LOVE the picture he took <3

Off to bed now, still feeling the lethargy after the crazyfun disco skating last night. Wait for the new post on it!

Goodnight, tumblovers!

When an Indo watch a Malaysian Social Parody: INDICINELIVE! 3

If you do not know who is Rosmah Mansor, or how TM officers treat you when your internet is down, neither you are aware of what is happening in Sabah and Sarawak, then you will end up dozing off in your seat like a few Mat Sallehs I met while watching the premier night of INDICINELIVE! 3 on 6 April 2011 at KLPac.

I came there almost clueless of what to expect; as happened my boy scored the premier tickets through a TimeOut KL contest. It was my very first theatrical play. Knowing beforehand that it was going to be a social parody, I assumed it would either be a super-serious commentary, or a brainless comedy.

We sat in, the front row it was, and boy I was amazed since the very first sketch! I am trying not to spoil too much here, but I could not stop laughing in awe! It was really really sharp and smart, and at the same time it is sooooo funny! I don’t really know how to describe it, but it was just soo..right!

I could not count how many times I said to myself: Goodness, that is so true!! The acting, the chemistry between actors, the topics, the way they switch between issues and songs, it was just so neat that throughout the 80 minutes, not one minute I leaned back to my chair.

It was just amazing how they remember every line, every position, and change costumes in a matter of seconds! Salute them for being able to portray every character (plus their different accents!) and sing and dance :)

I never thought I could be as stunned as if I am watching a Zee Avi concert (she’s my biggest Malaysian idol), by a bunch of new people!

In short, INDICINE! crew has made poking fun at social issues and public figures, much more fun and memorable than it ever was :)

PS: I have officially turned into a fangirl since last Wednesday midnight. I managed to get some pictures with the actors. Tweets from Indicine and Ui Hua have really made my day :) Master Tang, Sheety, Babe Rempits, China Man, gorgeous gay, and Borneo people, I am a fan!! *hearts*

PSS: Read INDICINE’s crew interview with Esquire. If you say it is not funny, you are lying! http://www.esquire.my/Entertainment/Theatre/article/Indicinelive-3

INDICINELIVE! 3
Indicine, klpac
6 – 10, 12 – 17 April 2010 @ 8.30pm
(No performance on 11 April 2010)

Executive Producer
Dato’ Faridah Merican

Artistic Director
Joe Hasham OAM

Directed by
Kelvin Wong

Written by
Patrick Lee | Erna Mahyuni | Adriana Nordin Manan | Nina Shah | Freddy Tan | Tung Jit Yang | Amir Yunos

Featuring the Player Ensemble of
Siti Farrah Abdullah | Sani Zainal Abidin | Shirin Jauhari | Oliver Johanan | Uihua | Freddy Tan | Tung Jit Yang

and Supported by
Ivan Chan Atienza | Banun Atina Idris | Calvin Tan | Iskandar Zulkarnain | Amir Yunos