Mayy's Closet #57

Winter is SUCH a lazy season. Perhaps it is also because I am on vacation mood. I just so need a break. Which is what I am giving myself this weekend. No parties, no dressing up. Just leggings and oversized sweaters and hoodies. If I could leave the house in bathrobe, I would. Sitting on my ass all day in front of the telly in my tubchair, ok LOSER. Whatever. So 'tis the season where no matter how many layers you wear, you still feel cold. So sometimes, I settle for just one since it makes no difference.

And here's one of my favourite winter outfits: an olive green drop-shoulder long knitted sweater from Zara and leggings.

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

I bought this (four/five) years ago before I even knew I would one day actually be faced with living in a country with four seasons. I bought it in Zara Macau or Hong Kong (I can't remember if it is even in anyone of the named countries) and brought it with me to Japan too. It is so comfortable and warm and chic in my opinion. It is timeless and and I can dress it however I want to. Though usually it is just with leggings and black boots and gold accessories.

It is good for a day out or even a night out. It is a little bodycon-like so I have to push myself to not overeat and have a tummy showing. Wouldn't be a good look here! There are always that few dresses or clothes items you will never give up. This is definitely one of them for me. I wouldn't know what to do if I one day have to retire it. I don't think I will though. It will just be reduced to home-wear at most. I am so glad I stuck to my guns and told my mother I wanted it no matter what. It didn't come cheap, that much I remember but thank god for Mum and Dad's more generous spirits when we go on holidays. There are just some things worth fighting for.

Till my next closet raid, Mayy xo

Mayy's Closet #35

Yes, I am on a break from all the auditing readings and on a blogging mission. So here we go! More clothes! Obviously this was from before the Taiwan trip but not too long ago in April. I finally wore this top I bought from Zara TRF in Singapore.

Looks like a mini dress! A boyfriend shirt look which I like because they are so comfortable and has this hint of sexiness to it. In my opinion anyway.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com
You thought I was going to walk around with something that short?! No way. So I threw on a pair of white denim shorts and belted it with a tan brown belt. Effortless look. Love it.

And when the colder weather rolls around, swap the denim shorts for leggings! Boots or pumps. It is such a versatile piece.

Add a scarf or layer it with a grey boatneck sweater for a preppy look.

I chose this blue colour because well, I can wear it with a high-waisted pants or skirt and put a corporate twist to it. Try telling me that the SGD29.90 (or was it SGD39.90) is not worth it? To me, it is such a bargain buy! I can't wait to wear it again!

Till my next closet raid, Mayy xo

Mayy's Closet #20

Still 'inspired' from the weather and a day of doing absolutely nothing academically inclined, here's a closet post on an outfit I wore a couple of years back when it was rainy and cold. It was one of those spontaneous weekend day out with Anna, this one to Freo for fish and chips & Baskin Robbins.

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

Yes, I brought that umbrella out with me. I love it and it's practical. Oh, and it's pretty. Now for the clothes. It's my favourite Zara sweater top. I have it in four or five different colours. And I am NOT stopping. This green one is my first of such tops so it holds more meaning to me. It goes well with EVERYTHING and especially the Puma bag I am toting in this photo. The Puma bag was a birthday gift from the 0906 boys back in teejay days. I like its functionality and shape. It holds alot more than it looks. I paired it with leggings and denim shorts. And this is no normal leggings, they are really thick ones from Best & Less kids section. I read somewhere in a magazine on how denim shorts should be left for summer. I think Katie Holmes was wearing this combi. Well, I think it is all about layering it up and how you pull it off. I am not saying I pulled it off here but hey, it sure makes use of the summer wardrobe. My Jay Jays ankle boots is also sort of my rain boots so it comes as part of the deal back then when it rains. I accessorized with a big red faux crystal heart necklace I got from one of my Bangkok trips.

Anyhow, that was comfortable for a day out and is not difficult to pull together. What do you think, denim shorts with leggings yay or nay?

Till my next closet raid, Mayy xo

Mayy's Closet #15

I had been tottering around in wedges for the past couple of weeks and the choices of outfits were mainly more of the casual pants style. Although the weather had been insanely hot, the pants still did not cause me much perspiration thankfully. I can't be wearing my halters and dresses for my classes all the time, and especially not for my tutoring ones.

So here we go, the post features my Zara beige pants/jeans. It is smart casual, I guess. Jeans without coming across as casual. I think it is really because of the colour and the material.

For a casual look in summer, I always cuffed them to about 3/4 and pair with a black/grey top. Quite standard. But somehow, I still really like it. This black Roxy top has been with me for really quite a long time (6 years?) and I don't think I have worn it more than 10 times. Always in pristine condition, and I like the gold print on it.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com
This one is paired with another Zara item, the puffed sleeve top which is the first one I bought of the style. Leopard print-ish? What do you think? When I went shopping once with Annaand she met me when I was in the changing room already, I came out and showed her the top I was trying on. She went, I like the top but not the pants. Well babe, the pants are mine! Haha. I bought the pants because I wanted something practical and comfortable and not too casual when I started my internship. Depending on how you dressed it, it can look very formal. So there we go, a pair of practicality hangs in my wardrobe of many unpracticalities.

Till my next closet raid, Mayy xo

Shoestopper #17

Ahhh, very very stressed after the first week of uni had come and gone. So much to do and "Toto, we ain't in Kansas anymore". It's a whole new ball game this time, not the kind of studying I could do for undergrad. However, I am very lucky to have a bunch of others doing the honours program as well. And that, we actually don't mind each other at this stage...

I thought I would do abit of de-stressing for the night by posting about a pair of my favourite stilettos. I also wore this recently for my first teaching day. Jeremy said he could not believe I actually dressed up for teaching. But hey, first impressions count. And if you don't look it, fake it till you make it. Which I totally need at this point. HEH.

Yet another pair of Zara stilettos, I know. My obsession and fascination will never cease. I mean they are not ridiculously expensive...Okay, take that back for abit. I mean they look great and are really quite comfortable for stilettos this high.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com
I bought this pair from Zara in Venetian Macau Hotel during a trip there. I love Macau, especially the Venetian. So I am glad I got this pair sort of as a souvenir. I practically had to be real nice to Daddy for it, since Mummy thought it frivolous and unpractical. Little did she knew, this was one of the most practical purchases I ever made.

The colour grey ensured I could wear it anywhere, for corporate events or dressing down days. And it goes with anything really. It also meant less maintenance as dirt do not really show up on it. You would thought the suede will be high maintenance but it really isn't so bad. In fact, the leather soles took a while to break in and now its all good. Zara shoes are just well made, and very steady when you walk in them. Another thing I liked is the little cutout details all around, breaks up the monotony and not seem too dull or strict.

So how do you like shoestopper #17? I've got quite a few compliments on it so far (like a proud mama). Do you have any pair you have broken into well and you know it will never fail you?

Till my next shoe-stopping experience, Mayy xo

Prints One

A new blog segment added! I am always buying stuff because of one detail I really liked on that piece. It may be the t-shirt print or the cut or a a certain design. So I thought I would blog about it and it will help me to stop buying unnecessary things by just taking a photo of it in the shops. Do you have such a problem too? I am a mayyjah hoarder (oops...).

Photo credits: Zara, mayydiaries.blogspot.com
It has been a pretty tough few months, and even tougher few days. Making a difficult decision and then, not having things go according to plan. Why does the heart be ever so complicated?

I really like the simple print above, like how I love all things black and white. I did not buy this top because I know I was not a fan of the cut and to pay quite a few pretty pennies for the print...Hmmmm. Not a smart shopping investment eh? So I made the right choice.

But is it ever easy to make the right choice? Is it ever easy to identify which is the right choice? Since when do you not doubt yourself? Since when there are no doubts? Are things ever juts black and white? Or do you see the grey areas in between too?

I find it pretty accurate the word Love was in between the 2 hands forming the heart shape. Because love does take two hands to clap. Give and take. Finding the right balance. Oh heart, tell me what you desire...

Shoestopper #6

Inspired by the music video posted earlier, I am going to do another shoe-stopping post! I mean, look at the video! Have you?! Those hot models playing soccer in their stilettos. Nice footwork eh? Alright, and I secretly love their outfits and shoes and hot bods.

So obviously this post will be on yet another high-heeled, lift-my-booty pair. Introducing my love-at-first-sight booties from Zara. I got them mid this year, or was it last year? It wasn't too long ago, and I remember just handing over my card. I just could NOT wait till the sales.

Ended up having to hide it when I got home, but I was dumb enough to leave my receipt on the table. So Mum found out and lectured me on my shoes obsession. But my theory is why clad your feet is cheapness all the time?! There are times they deserve to be pampered. Shoes maketh the outfit, in my opinion. Some say its the bag or the makeup or the hair, not me. That probably explains my shoes collection. With further ado, photo!

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com
Look at that! How can a girl NOT fall in love with them right? Okok, I understand to each their own. The satin grey with that exquisite delicate black lace over. It really makes the outfit. I usually pair them with a jeans and nice-top combo. There are also a few dresses I will totally wear them out with in autumn, and leggings/stockings in winter. They just instantly up the glam factor in an ordinary outfit. All I need is smoky eyes makeup and mussed-up hair to complete the look which only takes all of 10 minutes, or 5 if I have steady hands that night.

They are actually really comfortable, but I would wear those thin socks with them. Just so they don't smell eh! Haha, For this kind of shoes, always remember to put stuffing in them to keep their shape when you are not wearing them. The heels are also steady enough, take a good look. It's a thicker top. I also favour shoes with pointier front, which you will soon notice if I keep posting about my collection.

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com
These pair of shoes make me feel extraordinarily good and confident whenever I go out in them. I know nothing can go wrong, and I get good kind of stares from both the girls and boys. Don't we all just love shoes who do that for us? ;)

Do you have such a pair that makes you feel the way I do? How do they look like? I really would like to know!

Till my next shoe-stopping experience, Mayy xo

Mayy has a shopping regret #1

A new segment to the blog! And it is definitely one that deserve the introduction and first place too. My shopping regret #1 is Red Stilettos. RED. It is really not as easy as it sounds. There are alot of red shoes out there, especially this time of the year. But I just CANNOT seem to find one I love. I have found 2 in the past but let them pass me by due to temporary misjudgement. I plead concussion as my excuse. Either that, someone else was possessing my body and mind.

Now that one above was the ONLY red pair I had but had to be retired after me wearing them out. My search to replace them has now cross the 2 year mark. I am truly devastated. But I know the time when THAT red pair which has eluded me for so long, will be truly fabulous.

Doesn't that row of red and spiky ends draw you in? It sure did that to me, and had me searching all over Singapore for it. It's just not meant to be. BIG SIGHS. This regret has stayed with me for nearly a year now. But feels so much longer than that.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com
I hate to say this, but doesn't it look just gorge and adorbs?! Argh. WHY DID I NOT BUY IT?! And when I finally did think I should (just a couple of days later), I could't find it in my size. Well done. And it's zara too, good comfortable shoes...What really happened, was because I just bought Shoestopper #5 the day before, and there was a littler black dirty mark on the only pair left in my size. It was guilt and restraint. Not at its best timing. So yeah. Here's to more years to finding a fab red pair...sighs.

Not all shades of red pull me in, not all cuts of shoes take the cake, not all kinds of material will make my cut. Hence, the search toughens. If you thought that was only one incident, there was actually another red stilettos incident more than a year ago. June/July 2009. My winter vacation to Florence, Italy. More like a university business trip but we had alot more fun than business! Prada was having their annual summer sale, in addition to closing down renovation sale. I mean major discounts! How can a girl say no?! Right right? Especially when a girl gets really really angryand upset because the Chanel bag she wanted sold out too. Yeah. Me. I was dumb enough. I plead possession of body and mind.

It was not fire engine heart stopping red this one. It was more wine, shinier leather, deeper red, all sexy and elegance. Burgundy some people call it. I call it a rich bordeaux sort of red. Mix with a little bit of purple, just this dash to make it go all dark red with passion....And it's Prada to boot. No, I said no. Because I already bought the similar stilettos in two other shades. Oops. Why do I show restraint at the worst timings?! WHY?! Yet at the best of times, this side of me disappears, leaving me to indulge and play. I am not saying those times were shoe shopping times. No photo of this one too. Makes it for a double whammy hurt.

But hey, life's like that. And I hope I find my cure eventually. Have you had any shopping regret? Share with me! Maybe it will make you feel better sharing and knowing you are not the only one.

Till my next post, Mayy xo

P.S. I just could not say till my next shopping regret. I mean who wants some more?!

Shoestopper #3

Since it's the holidays and I am actually quite bored out of my mind, I decided to get a few friends and head out partying on Wednesday and Saturday for the past week. Anna had bought me 2 really hot dresses from Supre in Melbourne. Their warehouse was apparently better than ours in Osborne Park. Nice, wish I was there. Anyway, both nights I wore the same heels out. So I thought I will blog about them. I have concurred that these are my comfiest shoes to go dancing in. I can last more than 5 hours partying hard in them! They look pretty darn good too. But it's not all plus points. A photo first before anything else...

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com
I bought them on 19th June this year in Harbourtown's Forever New. Li Jia was the witness to this buy since she was my shopping companion for the day. I was searching the racks for my size and really pretty lucky to have found one at all. I got them at a steal at AUD 24.95! They are made of felt/suede so thats really soft and kind to the feet. I initially thought the bling was a little too much (yeah, I know since when is bling too much to me eh?!). But I tried it on and it looked hot. So as they say, the rest is history...

When I bought it, this other lady was looking for her size too and she took quite awhile to find hers since her feet is smaller than mine. Sizes for shoes here when they go on sale are the usual suspects, for the bigger feet. Anyway she was ecstatic she found hers and told me so when I was at the cashier. Girls and shoes are just well, its like whiskey and ginger ale to me! I wore it that very night too for dinner to the casino. And there's one thing you should know about me. I seldom wear new things when I just buy them or things I like alot. Some of my new clothes are still 'new' 2 years from purchase date! hahaha. It says alot when I wear so soon, I must really like it alot alot alot. Anyway, it is so coincidental too at the casino that night, I met the woman who found her size that arvo! She saw my shoes and we both laughingly shared a secret smile.

Back in Singapore this July for winter break, I went to Zara as usual. Such a surprise to see the exact same pair on the racks, with of course a different label! Goodness. They were selling for like SGD150 if I remembered correctly. EEKS. So I really appreciated this darling pair even more since then. We'll end with a couple of photos of the shoes being put into action the past week!

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

After wearing them out quite a few times now, my main concern when wearing them has always been my worry that the bling will drop out. It is my biggest fear and I can't enjoy myself properly when I wear them out to dance with the crowds! So I only wear them out for dinners and places I know they will be fine. Then I switch to flats for dancing. A little sad but I will do anything including wear flats just so my heels can all stay pristine and pretty.

Till my next shoe-stopping experience, Mayy xo

P.S. follow me on twitter! twitter.com/mayyb

Shoestopper #1

I've decided that I will start my very first diary on my favourite pick-me-ups: Shoes. 98% of my girlfriends or girls I've met love them, very few girls I know are NOT fascinated with them. Shoe shopping brings us such excitement and buzz. Oh! and that Cinderella moment when you find one that fits so snug...

It is undeniable I love that feeling of wearing fabulous shoes. My personal mantra: "The higher the better." I meant the height of the stilettos, for all you flats-wearing or worse, thongs-wearing girls out there. Again, I must clarify thongs is Aussie slang for slippers, flip-flops. I love them, don't get me wrong. But today, I will share with you a very special pair of shoes in my humble collection.

Photo credit: mayydiaries.blogspot.com
These are my very first stilettos. The 4 inch beauties were bought quite a while back. The satin black and elegant gold lining, the sexy stiletto heel. Also, the fact it was the Zara sale period (although the price tag really was not all that low). It was all enough to make a very sad (semi heartbroken and maybe a little reckless) girl smile again. I had one of my girlfriends, Charlene with me at that time to giggle at my find. Am I glad to share that moment with her. The powerful, confident feeling it gives me when I wore them each time. Not to mention, I really took to it like a duckling took to swim. I felt like I found my little talent. I could walk naturally in these! So, I forked over my ATM card, and heard my first expensive cha ching for shoes/stilettos. To this day, my mother still does not understand my shoe fetish and the insane price tags I am willing to pay for them... Maybe one day my future job will allow me to buy her a pair of good expensive quality Tod's loafers. Then, she will understand no?

Another shoe related topic: Are peeptoe shoes really sexier than completely covered front? Why? Enlighten me. I still think that hole in front just makes it alittle more difficult to last longer in a pair of stilettos since the toe rub against it and it hurts!

Nevertheless, I had no idea then that this was the beginning of an obsession. Tell me all you shoe lovers, do you remember your first special shoe moment? Share with me your stories...I would love to hear them.

Till my next shoe-stopping experience, Mayy xo

P.S. follow me on twitter! twitter.com/mayyb