(Rockin' or not in my) Darcie

I am going crazy. Shortly after Kit recovered from HFMD, he fell sick again with fever, running nose, cough... AND he's teething.

So.

I don't know about you'd feel, but having a sick, hyperactive toddler in the house is REALLY NO FUN. Work is piling up and there are the usual day-to-day running of the household thingies to take care of.

So.

On the first sign that Kit was ready to go back to school (i.e. no fever in the morning), I packed him off to school and decided to be a little unconventional with my outfit for a client meeting. I pulled on the lovely Dr. Martens Darcie boots in teal^ (yes, teal). I have been eyeing the Darcie for the longest time and it was a tough decision -- it was between leopard prints or teal -- but I finally decided I REALLY dig teal. (Plus, I already own a Dr. Martens clog in leopard prints, but that's another story....)

And so.

Nothing beats retail therapy. After the meeting, I checked in at Zadig & Voltaire in Marina Bay Sands.

It was fun going through the sale items, and I finally found a cashmere shawl (100% cashmere!) that was on discount. (My previous helper put my old shawl in the washing machine, and I haven't been able to find a suitable replacement.) I felt rockin'.

So.

Kit came down with fever again in the evening. Not rockin' right now. Feeling all guilty for packing him off to school.

My new fall bag

Just to take my mind off the sick toddler, daily cleaning and disinfecting issues, and how tiring it is to entertain a toddler in the confinements of home, I thought I'll just write about my new fall bag.

One topic that's bound to perk up any tired SAHM at the end of the day is fashion and I recently messaged a girlfriend near midnight about my latest acquisition in preparation for A/W 2011: Rebecca Minkoff's latest Cupid Satchel in navy. Suffice to say we had a wonderful end to our long day discussing whether the teal version looks better than the navy (navy's a more practical color, she said), checking out the RM web site, and discussing the clasp on the RM Mac Bombe Clutch.

After much anticipation, Cupid finally arrived. I love the gold hardware against the blue and the bag is SPACIOUS to say the least, which is great for a long day of running errands and shopping. There are plenty of pockets to organize whatever we ladies like to throw inside our bag. But I discovered that if all you have is a wallet, mobile phone, and keys, the bag doesn't hold its shape at all. This is a little disappointing considering that one of the reasons why I bought the bag was for its shape.

But, but, but... I must say it holds lots of potential for days where I am out with Kai and I need a bag to hold all his junk and mine. I mean, this was why I specifically wanted a spacious satchel as my companion for Fall 2011.

(RM has FREE international shipping for purchases above US$300. ;) )

Here's looking at you kid

The inevitable has happened; though it happened earlier than I expected. After spending four frigging hours in Singapore National Eye Clinic, the pediatric ophthalmologist says Kai has astigmatism. It is recommended that he wears glasses when he watches TV programs.

I grew up in the 70s where options for children's frames were limited. All my bespectacled girlfriends and I had those HUGE, oversized, dorky plastic frames that did nothing to help us through those awkward growing up years where one starts becoming more conscious of one's looks. (The irony is that the same HUGE, oversized dorky plastic frames are considered a fashion statement now by many.)

But things are so different now fashion wise for children. (Isn't that how we get kids the likes of Romeo Beckham?) He picked this red pair himself and refused to budge even when his daddy offered him other options. I am glad. He made a good decision. Fashion-wise, that is. Red accentuates his skin tone, the shape fits the frame of his face, and yada yada yada. Anyway, he must be pretty pleased with how he looks and how it sits on his nose because he's been very compliant with wearing it!

Taming of the drool

My soon to be 13-month-old is a lean, mean, drooling machine. He has been drooling like forever, teething or not. Recently I found Mum 2 Mum bibs from Mothercare that earned top marks in both the drool-catchment and fashion department. It is thick, has a water resistent backing, and is designed like a bandana. Even Kit's PD said he's making a fashion statement with the bib.

My inner rock chick

Terence thinks I should take a photo of my hair after every visit to my hair stylist. What's the big deal, right? The thing is, I go for a trim every one to two months. This means my stylist, Pauline, is kept on her toes all the time.

What a demanding customer I am... :p

But really, I believe every fashion-savvy girl should change her hairstyle as frequent as she shops, i.e. which is like every day (!). And Pauline does a superbly great job giving me a new look each time.

There is a little of a rock chick in me, though seriously, I don't 'feel' or dress like that most of the time. Today, I would give anything to have a metal studded, kick-ass black jacket to complete the look. But here's just me with two recent fashion do-dads: Ray-Ban Aviators and mechanical Soviet watch from Poljot. Love!

I ♥ Dr. Martens

I couldn't get Dr. Martens out of my mind ever since reading about its Worn 1460 collection a few days ago on Facebook. Then feeling rather guilty for neglecting my own pair of gorgeous, black patent Dr. Martens, I decided it was time to start breaking them in for good.

I am in such a monochrome fashion mood these days. But since everything to do with "Alice in Wonderland" is so hot now, I threw on my Disney's Chershire Cat-inspired toe socks to add a hint of color to the outfit. No one would know unless they're staring at my boots (and why shouldn't they?).

Thank you Dr. Martens for giving me something to smile about on a hot, humid Tuesday afternoon.

Furoku? Kawaii!

Not too long ago, I read an article about how Singaporeans would buy Japanese magazines--not to read--but to collect the designer freebies (or furoku in Japanese) that come with it. Out of curiosity, I did just that.

Basically, if you don't read a single word of Japanese (which I don't), you are making a magazine selection based on its furoku--not what the magazine is about. I picked one that was giving away an Agnes B bag.

From the photograph on the magazine cover, you can't tell what the quality is like. I was quite sure, however, that the quality will not be all that great because it's a freebie after all. (An Internet article reported that the furoku is usually valued between 50-200Yen or S$0.77-S$3.) The Agnes B bag was made of muslin and the heart-shaped tag of cheap plastic. OK, so it isn't worth the S$17.90 I paid for the magazine.

But you know what, you certainly can't buy an Agnes B bag for S$17.90, and you can't find an Agnes B bag like this in the boutique. And consumers ARE passionate about the furoku. The furoku had been responsible for doubling--and even helped tripled--magazines' circulation when magazine sales were affected by free content on the Internet. Some people have even made a business of selling furoku items online (e.g. 1DesignerGift). Very enterprising....

I did try to find the content in "steady" relevant. OK, hmm, so I could layer my clothes this way to make it cute or I could point out a hairstyle I like to my hairdresser. But really, the only reason I'd ever buy a Japanese magazine again is because of its furoku.

Dressing up for mummy's day out

There are days where I put together an outfit in my head, and I'd then think to myself: "That's too outrageous for the office." And so poof! That outfit never materializes.

But since I was going out for a "Mummy-only lunch date" with a girlfriend, I thought I'd have fun with my outfit. There was nothing highstreet about it. It was an outfit that was just honest-to-goodness-streetwear-finds.

It was a cathartic moment for me. It felt good to get out of the functional t-shirt and denim shorts/skirts/jeans that I throw on to deal with baby's drool or Kai's meal-time mess.

Lulu Guinness on the secret path

Ah... high heels. Love 'em much. But all my killer heels have been sitting pretty in their boxes lately as it's not practical to tote baby around in them. Since I wasn't bringing baby to Kai's Chinese New Year celebration in school, it was a perfect excuse to wear my Lulu Guinness.

Of late, the secret path has been strewn with flowers that reminded me of those from the Jacaranda tree because of the purple-ish pink hue. I felt as if I was walking down a fashion runway with pretty petals as my red carpet.

I'm going to have the best job on earth

Kit's gonna be Daddy's future caddy

Personally, I like kid's t-shirts with clever (sometimes annoying but funny) quotes on them. This one that Kit is wearing says^: Daddy's future caddy. It gives people a few laughs before they wonder what kind of parent buys these Ts.

Kit's going to inherit a few other quotable-quote Ts from Kai that says:

- Grumpy without chocolate

- Trouble's my name

- Chicks dig me (I'm still wondering what possessed me to buy this.)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What's a good diaper bag?

Touring Tote from The Insanely Chic: I couldn't resist it, despite the price tag

I was talking to a girlfriend a few days ago about diaper bags. Being a first-time mom, she didn't find tips like "depends on your needs" when choosing a diaper bag very helpful. Especially when she doesn't know what she needs!

Our trusty Dash from Skip Hop. Three years and counting.

I love bags with a passion (any woman in her sane mind would too!), and naturally diaper bags came under much scrutiny when I was looking for one when Kai was born. Terence often say I'm willing to compromise practicality (and value for money) for the sake of design and style. *Blush*

Personally, I like diaper bags:

1. With straps that allow you to switch between carrying it on the shoulder and attaching it to the stroller. The Touring Tote gives you three carrying options. It can be used as a small hobo, a long shoulder bag, and clipped on to the stroller.

2. That has many compartments inside that allow you to organize your stash.

3. Must have easy-to-access pockets on the outside for items like mobile phone, keys etc.

4. That has a long 'shelf-life', i.e. stylish yet practical enough for me to continue using long after my kids are out of their diapers.

5. That are made of canvas or easily washable/wipeable materials.

Based on this criteria, Skip Hop's Dash wins over the Touring Tote. However, I like the latter because well, it is very pretty. :-p But I think my diaper bag acquisition drive stops here. I'm pretty happy to own one that's more rugged and unisex--or at least something that Terence doesn't mind carrying--and another that's feminine. Perfect for tea with a bunch of yummy mummies.

I'm in lust, again--Pomellato

I confess. Most of the time I pick up a women's fashion magazine is when I'm at the hairdresser's. It's just much safer for my pocket this way. But this month, I decided to pick up Her World and discovered Pomellato.

Pomellato is available in Singapore at the Hilton (i.e. in other words, VERY bad for the pocket).

What I miss...

I was organizing my shoe closet today, and found pairs after pairs of high heel shoes that I can't wear now and for a long time to come. *sigh*

34 weeks and counting down

I am 34 weeks.

I am 34 weeks?

I am 34 weeks!

The reality that baby #2 will arrive soon has finally hit home today. But I'm not ready. I haven't exercised enough. I haven't dug up his baby clothes. I haven't found his swaddle cloth. I haven't put up the black-outs. I haven't decided on his name!

I also don't know how people take fashionable, self-portraits. Here's my "happy days" t-shirt from Desigual; it makes me smile everytime I look down at the happy face smiling back at me.

Totally wacky

And I'm not talking about my body which is totally whacked out at the moment. If I weren't so pregnant and mindful of my pocket, I would have swooped up Desigual's jackets and dresses in a heartbeat.

Their design is a montage of fabrics and colours that logically shouldn't match. Yet they all do, and the outfit just comes together like it's meant to be.

The prices can be daunting but their outlet in Marina Square is having a sale. Just check out the shop and think of it as an art gallery of modern art.

Baby socks fashion

I spied these baby socks on a newborn when Kai was crawling and learning how to run. (He wanted to switch immediately from first gear to fifth.) It looked like the baby was wearing real shoes and I LURVE them (the ribbons are not printed; they are actually laces).

It didn't make sense to buy them for Kai then. So if I ever had the chance, I'd get them for my friends' babies and the best thing is, they come in all sorts of patterns! You have Mary Janes, ballet shoes, sandals, cowboy boots etc.

Mothers Work keeps stock of these cute socks, and I bought them for our second baby. Lucky kid; this is one item that wouldn't be a hand-me-down from big brother. Do check out the other adorable patterns they have in store (at Great World City).

Doctors love the colour white. No?

For a short trip down Orchard on the third day of the Lunar New Year, I picked an all white outfit. If the weather was cooler, I would have thrown on a pair of black tights. The real doctor (i.e. Terence) initially opined that an all-white outfit would look strange. But changed his mind after I pulled on the boots.

Top: Gap

Shorts: A shop in People's Park, Chinatown

Boots: Dr. Martens, of course

Psyche-Doctor-delic

An outfit that I pulled together after spending just half an hour at Square 2.

Dress: $39

Stockings: $18.90

Dr. Martens: Priceless

How do you wear 'em, let me count the ways

My black patent Dr. Martens. Mine. All mine. Finally

I have a love-hate relationship with Dr. Martens boots.

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I love them.

They were so hot in the 90s when I was studying, and the people I hang out with wore Dr. Martens. I couldn't afford Dr. Martens then.

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I 'hate' them.

I don't know what to wear them with. How do you look rocker chic without looking like a short-fart? A out of proportion carrot clomping up and down the stairs?

Then I found inspiration in this blog: Thriftstore Chic. In particular, I love how eighteeneleven pulls her outfit together.

Anymore ideas?

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Taken at the +9 Sprint/Summer '09 fashion show in Old School last year with Dr. Martens as one of the sponsors

Terence owned a pair of Dr. Martens too. He says no one laces them all the way up because it's uncomfortable. ("Hell no, cos it's cool babe," I thought. But what do I know.)

The return of the iconic boot has generated (once again) for itself quite a bit of flak over how tough and unforgiving the leather is. But I met a few more fans who swear they are the most comfortable shoes on earth.

Well, I'll find out. In good time. 

Mad, mad, mad

Friends from MF Asia/CMP days might remember that I had a thing for scarfs.

Anyway... I went shopping with Corinne after lunch at Square 2, and I went absolutely mad. It was as if I morphed into a terrible creature that delights in throwing cash at the sales girl, screaming at the same time: "Take all my money, it's free!"

I've just woken up from the haze, and now I'm thinking: "WHAT HAVE I DONE?"

OK. But I still love the juicy lady bug and strawberry scarf I bought from the shop. Will look great with all the lovely pink and white tops I have. *stupid grin on face*