Look out for Looklet

Looklet has successfully made its way to become my latest object of fascination. At times when I feel the urge to dress up but am unable to due to the lack of choice items, Looklet comes in handy dandy. It's pretty amazing how you can choose your own model, and create new fashion looks just by clicking on the items you'd like to mix and match with. How neat. I could just play around with styling all day, really.

Happy Thursday, dolls!

Love,
Bren

Film recommendation: I'm here by Spike Jonze

Recently screened at this year's Sundance Film Festival, I've been looking forward to the release of this 30 minutes short film by Spike Jonze. After watching Where the Wild Things Are, I really appreciate and respect him for being committed to his art. The movie was produced at a budget of $100 million, which is probably due to the live-action concept (it was supposed to be an animation version) Spike Jonze decided to undertake. What a risk that must have been.

This time around, Spike Jonze collaborated with Absolut to produce this film- a love story between two robots. I guess it had all the potential in the world to turn out cheesy. I mean, they're robots...those wired up things just don't fall in love. They sweep floors and annoy humans with their inadequacy, that's what they do.

In this film, a robot librarian named Sheldon lived a mundane and solitary life, devoid of any joy and inspiration- until he met a female robot whose adventurous and free-spirited nature changed him. Through a series of events that took place which altered her life, Sheldon discovers he has a lot to give. The entire film is showing on the official website and like a sucker for all things strangely romantic, I was sobbing at the end of it- at a bittersweet love story of two robots. True story.



Gonna watch it a couple more times!
<3,
Nat

Some food lovin'

So I finally visited one of the restaurants located within walking distance just outside my place. That was my very first time trying Turkish Cuisine and it was a yummatumtum experience. I shall let the pictures do the talking.

Humus (Chickpea Dip)

Some freshly-baked, chewy bread to go with the Humus dip. YUMM!
Coban Salata (Shepherd's Salad) *healthy!*

Kunefe (Seriously, one of THE BEST desserts ever!)

Hot Apple Tea served in a lovely little glass and saucer

My personal favourites were the Kunefe, and the Hot Apple Tea which served as a great accompaniment to the dessert. I love the warm trickling of sweet apple tea down my throat after dessert. Oooh and there was also the mixed grill combo (comprising of chicken, lamb, beef cubes, and chicken wings/drumlets) that was shared during dinner as well. It's a pity I didn't get to take pictures before I could even stop the swift fork action.

As a person who doesn't exactly consume much meat, I thought the grilled meats tasted good. I guess it's the way the marinated them with such fragrant spices and they weren't oily in the least.

Apart from that, they had pretty decent service and a nice chill-out atmosphere. It isn't too crowded either.

I say, it's definitely a restaurant to go to! (:

Until the next time,
Bren

Too much shopping mojo

So since a couple of days back I've re-discovered the joy of shopping. Seriously. I've been trying to curb my spending and for awhile browsing online fuelled me with enough inspiration to be creative with my current wardrobe without making too many frivolous purchases. I was successful, for a few months. But the noble stance has since dwindled to nothingness.

Case in point, aside from a briefcase bag, plaid skirt, slouchy cardigan, lace camisole and pussybow dress I've bought recently, I've also bought my most expensive dress and pair of shoes ever this month. I really ought to put on a leash when I'm out. Brenda claims my love for shopping makes her feel better about her own expenditure. =/ Should I be worried? I think I should, except that all I can think now is my pale blue dress.

Okay, so here's the rational (kinda) side of things. A Lover dress on 70% discount, timeless design with a wonderful cut. Plus, isn't that the same label where half the dresses in 500 Days of Summer were from? Kidding. Not really. Which comes to frivolous purchase no. 1:

This.
I tried really hard to Google for the design I bought but to no avail, but I found something similar which Alexa Chung wore. Mine's a much longer version, in fact a full-length dress, with cap sleeves. Wreckage was $220. It took me approximately 10 minutes of 'let me sit on this and think about it' before I headed back to the boutique to get it. I mean, I could probably wear such a dress for the next 10 years, right? Right.

Next, a pair of Jeffrey Campbell's brogue. I've been obsessively searching for nude patent oxfords when I found them. And because they're only available on Free People, I incurred extra international shipping costs too. The total added up to around $200. But they're leather! (And nude and patent.) I've already thought of the things I could pair them up with, like this Polyvore set below.

I really have no excuses for myself. I feel sorry. And ashamed. Please pass me a leash for incurring too much shopping mojo.

Like a pauper,
Natalie

Celine is....

Paris Fashion Week just ended the past week and I absolutely fell in love with Celine's Fall/Winter 2010 collection. It's powerful and elegant. It's amazing.

At Fanfare, we think that fashion and clothes have to be able to empower a women and make her feel confident, stylish so she can conquer the world.

I think the moment has arrived and Celine did it this season. I'm so glad that the genius behind this collection is a woman, it only takes a woman to understand her fellow species. I was completely overwhelmed when I saw the collection. To me, this collection is probably as groundbreaking as the androgynous, edgy trend that surfaced a few years back. This is inspiration to come for many many outfits. :) People should make more clothes like that, seriously. LOVE IT.

AMAZING trench coat.

Woman behind these beauties.

So inspired,
Meng Ye

Tribal Fever

Tribal Fever by fanfare featuring ASOS

Items in this set:
Dolce & Gabbana Harem pants, 690 EUR
Shoes - Women's Shoes - Designer Shoes - ASOS.com, $60
Powder Ombre Silk Stripe Scarf, Matthew Williamson, 95 GBP
ASOS Tribal Style Long Metal Pendant, $21
ASOS | ASOS Oversized Engraved Disc Ring at ASOS, 8 GBP

I've always been a fan of prints and patterns on my wardrobe items. Florals, tie-dye, aztec prints... you name it. And while the I love my monochromatic pieces, I still tend to fall head over heels with bright, colourful prints every time my eyes set upon them. In my opinion, tribal prints never fails to make a statement in any outfit (and i love it especially on dresses!).


What's more, even the fashion clairvoyant Marc Jacobs had recently channeled the world traveller look as spotted in the Louis Vuitton S/S 10 show with dramatic technicolor prints, and eclectic digitally engineered aztec prints that I practically swoon over (see above picture). I love how Marc Jacobs spun a twist on the typical tribal designs and how he incorporated the prints into unexpected fashion silhouettes. With playful prints like these, you won't have to try too hard to look to good.

Don't you just love it?? (;

xoxo,
Bren

baked goods!

Greetings!

School has been really hectic (projects season) and the homebody in me is screaming to be let out! Rather than having meetings all over town and attending everybody's 21st birthday party, all I really want to do is lounge around at home in my oversized shirt and watch re-runs of The O.C. This definitely won't happen in the near future for me. Sadly.

Oh, but all is not lost. I managed to squeeze in some girl-bonding time with my mates and baked some cupcakes! because girl time and cupcakes are inseparable like Madonna and cone bras.

Plain Jane cupcakes that needed a little dressing

We did this in the spirit of Chinese New Year! Yes, that was how long ago.

Heart made of orange peel in case you are wondering.

'M' for Meng Ye :)

All together now!

Not just pretty, very yummy also! Also, in the spirit of CNY, the cakes were orange flavoured and so was the cream cheese icing. haha. It was so good my mom asked for the recipe and baked orange cakes for my entire extended family. so awesome. It'll probably become a family tradition, orange cakes for everyone every year!

In case you might die reading my rambles about cakes and icing, I'll be kind enough to share the recipe :)

Sunshine & Vitamin C Cupcakes

Ingredients:

300g Plain Flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon each finely grated lemon, orange & grapefruit rind (i only used orange)
125g unsalted butter (you could use salted butter and skip the salt)
250g sugar
2 eggs
160ml orange and grapefruit juice in each parts (I only used orange juice)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (didn't have lemons)

Method:

1. Combine flour and baking powder.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light yellow and fluffy.
3. Add in eggs to butter mixture.
4. Alternately add flour mixture, juice and rind.
5. Beat until smooth, then pour mixture into cake tin or cupcake mould.
5. Bake in pre-heated 180C oven for 25 min or until cake tester comes out clean.


This is a very basic cake recipe and can be flavoured anyway including chocolate. Seasoned bakers should know the trick, but if you've never baked in your life, this recipe is simple and delicious to get you started.

Cooking and baking is a passion of mine, rest assured this will not be last of the recipes I'll share. =)


Have a very yummy week!
Meng Ye

Time travel: 1940s

The 40's is an amazing era. As much as I support the notion of independence and gender equity, I do feel that the women of the past have a poise and grace which I find is much lacking now. Plus, swing skirts, permed hair and kitschy kitchens are the icing on cupcakes.

40's with a modern twist from Urban Outfitters

Source: Weheartit, Flickr, Urban Outfitters, Corbis.

A time for tea and some Alice goodness.

Have I mentioned that the weather has been blazing hot lately? It's been a good 34 - 37 degrees out there and even when I'm indoors, I still melt in the heat. Oh, our poor Earth... look what they've done.

Anyhoos... on a lighter note, I have been fervently anticipating the arrival of the Alice in Wonderland film. And while doing some blog hopping, I stumbled upon this lovely little stop motion project titled Lost Things, directed by talented photographer Angela Kohler who is based in L.A.



Bits of the short film seems to be inspired by Alice falling down the rabbit hole. I love love love the model's beautiful flaming red hair that puts together a picture perfect fantasy. While viewing this video, I kind of fell in love with the background music that was written by Alison Sudol from A Fine Frenzy specially for this film. If you're one to enjoy the like of Juno's soundtrack, you'll like this one. Have a listen when you have the time, especially on warm weekday afternoons. It keeps you light and skippy happy! (at least it works for me)

While I mope about the insane weather out there that just makes me feel like staying home, I still lust at the idea of enjoying the bright, sunny afternoons with pretty cupcakes and teacups in hand. But well, that's not gonna happen anytime soon... and so I feast my eyes on these picturesque, sugary goodies while sipping some good soothing tea.

Lucky Charms Cupcakes! I miss having my breakfast filled with these bright, adorable lucky charms.

Meng, these two are for you (:

Treat yourself to a pretty cupcake this week!

Cheers with teacups and cupcakes,
Bren