Dental Health

Spent the whole day at the dentist's. Fixed a cracked molar, got a new crown, and poorer by a few grand.

I'm a big believer of dental health. Nip the problem in the bud, always. It will be a small price to pay against the potential prolonged suffering - orally and financially.

Pollen Boo Boo

I love receiving flowers. Never mind they are impractical gifts and wither away quickly. I love beautiful things and why should life always be about practicality? I enjoy indulgence and appreciate the beauty of everything under the sun.


So I receive some oh-so-beautiful trumpet lilies on Sunday. I have spent more than a few hours watching them bloom. (Yes, I idle my days away in the simplest pleasure like this.) Lilies however have the dreaded problem of staining everything in their way with their pollen. These yellow-orangey stains are little mean acts of nature! And I have unfortunately just got some lily pollens on my light pink t-shirt! Gasp!

Well, these stains are tricky to remove because water doesn't work on them. (I mean, if something can be removed by just water, it won't be considered tough stains, would it?) So here are some unconventional ways to get rid of the pollen stains.

Firstly thing first. Do NOT try to rub the stain off. This will only serve to push the pigment deeper into the fabric, making it harder to remove it! If you use your finger to rub it, the natural oil produced by our skin will impound the pigmentation further! Not wise.

Do NOT rub it off with a wet cloth either. This also only serves to spread the stain and set it in.

Instead, the best way is to shake it out. Once you realise your fabric has been stained, try to shake the fabric so the loose pollen powder will fall off. I find this awfully useful as much of the stain really does release itself from the fabric!

Next, use a sticky tape to gently lift up any remaining pollen. I have just tried this on my tshirt. It works like magic! Now the stain on my tshirt is but a light yellowish patch! Who would've thought a simple sticky tape has such powerful capability in times like that? Love it!

The last unconventional method to remove pollen is to put your stained fabric in the sun for a while. Not just an old wives' tale, the sunlight will bleach out the pollen! Amazing eh? (Personally I haven't tried this method since it's 2am now as I blog this. But ask mom or grams and they'll tell you this works!

If all else fails, buy new clothes use enzymatic detergent.

Getting Over A Relationship

I just love Sex and the City (SATC. Acroymns are supposed to be cooler, I was told). I was having one of those boring Saturday evenings -- friends and myself are all recovering from the wild clubbing the previous evening, just for the record -- so I decided to watch a random episode of SATC. In this episode, Carrie just ended her relationship with Mr Big and was having a hard time with the break up. Her girl friends suggested various ways to get over him. Some wanted her to jump right back into the dating scene, others allowed her to grieve. And I quote Charlotte:

It takes half the total time you went out with someone to get over them.

I've heard this from my girl friends too. You know, whenever a sista breaks up, we'll take them out for a male-bashing session, dishing out wise advices from our Breakup 101 Manual... until one hits home with her. Uh-huh, the typical "You deserves someone better" or "Keep yourself busy". You know what I'm talking about. What do you think about Charlotte's mathematical solution to relationships? Half the relationship period to get over them?

I guess it's not so much of the exact time frame. But it allows you a period to grieve, to eat tubs of Ben & Jerry's guiltlessly, to have free access to anyone's shoulder to cry on, to use retail therapy as a valid clinical assistance to your condition. And you do know that once that period deadline is over, you'll have to try to recover, to move on, to get over it.

If it is any comfort, I've learnt lately that with each relationship passed, we learn more and more about ourselves. We learn what we want from our partner, and what we don't need. What we would tolerate, and what is non-negotiable. We become clear about what kind of relationship we desire. We do not try to change what the other person is so as to fit into our idea of the "perfect relationship". I have been guilty of doing that too! Through the many tears shed, I've (finally!) learnt the best approach is to know what factors truly matter in your relationship. If you can accept the shortcomings, go ahead and be in it. One must truly be able to accept those blotches. But if the flaw is as big as Sarah Jessica Parker's (now-removed) mole a plank in your eye, then leave it -- don't even attempt to change anyone to fit your world, I beg you. It never would.

Accept, if you can.
Leave, if you can't.

It can be that simple. It ought to be. And this time round, I'm keeping it that simple. I have finally figured it out. :)

Four Fabulous Years

I know, I know. I haven't been blogging in a long while and I oughtta have a fabulous entry to make up for the the break. But I've just been swamped with... life! And today actually marks the 4th year anniversary since I arrived and lived my life as an expatriate overseas! 4 good years since I flew away from the safe harbour of home. 1461 Arabian nights spent in this foreign land I now call home. The best years of my life too. I will always treasure these days more than any others in my life!

How did I dare leave home for a foreign job, foreign land, foreign lifestyle at a young, brash age of 24? (Yes, you calculated correctly. That'll make me 28 now.) How did I know the world outside was not too tough for my soul and spirit? How did I decide that my appetite for Life is bigger than my fear of being trapped in the pseudo-perfect safe haven back home? I did not know. I did not know that the world could break my spirit; but I'll survive. I did not know my brash decision to leave my home country would teach me this much, enrich my life this much. I did not know many things as a young, fresh-from-university, over-protected, pampered girl from a land far away from this one now. But I leaped. I just decided to take the leap of faith, and went ahead.

It is a decision I will never regret. I've seen many folks come and go in this place -- some endured, some didn't. I've learnt what it takes to survive overseas: tough spirit, open mind, love for life and joy at work. Life, especially life away from home can be harsh. So if life throws me lemons, just made lemonade! Toughen up, and keep moving on! That's how I survive, learn, and grow up over these years.

I would enjoy spending another 4 years in this temporary home. I would even miss watching the progress of this land as its most historical moments are yet to unfold. I love my life and friends made along the way here. After travelling 5 continents, collecting uncountable stamps in my passport, sleeping in the 5-stars hotels in 3rd world countries, but also experiencing 3rd world foolishness in 1st world countries, a hard disk full of pictures of the old and new Wonders of The World, right now the time is right for me to go home. I feel it, I know it.

It has been a good run.

Cheers!

How To Look Fabulous In Ten Minutes

My friends were in their car when they phoned me -- the me which was still in bed, napping. They told me they were on their way over to pick me up to go for a drink. "How long before you reach?" I asked. Ten minutes, they said.

Ten freaking minutes?! Like 600 seconds? To get ready and look fabulous for a night out at the pub where drop-dead gorgeous men potentially hang out? I could either wear the first drab I reach in the wardrobe, go plain-faced, pull hair back into a convenient ponytail, and wished there would be no McConaughey-lookalikes at the bar that night, or I could use the ten minutes to make a fabulous looker out of myself! Well, you know what they say about Murphy's Law, when you least expect it, it will happen. I can't look like a wreck when the Pitts and McConaugheys appear in my life!

So, ten minutes. First thing first, take ten seconds to breathe. Really, this is essential. After emptying your mind of the bucket of nerves, start recalling the most flattering emergency clothes you've bought lately. You know, those clothes which you wear on your fat-days -- and still look fab! Now, get out of bed, pull those clothes out and remind yourself how gorgeous they'll look on you soon.

Next, wash your face. Then your regular toning and moisturising. While waiting for the moisturiser to be absorbed fully into your face, change your clothes. By now you should have some six minutes left.

Foundation is the essential part of this makeup routine since you will have minimal makeup, so you need the foundation to even out any dark circles, cover eyebrow's new growth, or just patch up your facial tones. Always wait for the foundation to be absorbed by the skin before applying loose powder. So while waiting, let's waste no time and start fixing the hair. I had the option of keeping it loose but that meant I had to blow it straight. So I decided to keep it in a loose bun on one side instead. A stylish I-just-pull-the-look-together chic-ness!

Four minutes.
Concealer.
Then grab a few chunky accessories to spice up your outfit. Throw them into the bag you intend to carry. Haven't decide which bag yet? Start thinking now. Leave the accessories on the bed first. Do not wear them now.

Three minutes and a half.
Loose powder. Blusher
Then eye liner.
I really do not think one will have time for mascara. I did not. So I needed to draw my eye liner thicker and with more definition. This will dramatise the eyes without the need of a mascara.

One minutes.
Choose your handbag. Throw the accessories in it.
Choose your shoes. One change is allowed. Afterall, shoes really do make or break an outfit! So let's cut us some slack here.

Half a minute.
Throw lip gloss into handbag.
Spritz on some of your best feel-good fragrance!
Take a look at the fabulous you in the mirror. And remind yourself "Damn I look good!"

Ten seconds.
Get out of your apartment and put on your accessories and lip gloss in the lift.

Walk glamorously (and calmly, the last thing you need is breaking out a sweat!) to your pick up point. Yes, it's okay to be a little late. That's hardly close to being fashionably late.
Now air-kissed your friends and compliment on how fabulous everyone looked. Because you know you do too! All in ten minutes' effort!

Be fabulous, girlfriends! Be fabulous, always.

The Other The One

Feeling emo today and realising I'd probably not get any work done after running my errands in town, I decided to get my hair done. I always fix my hair -- cut, colour, rebond, treatment, you name it! -- when I come back to town since I only trust my hairdresser when it comes to my tresses.

Miss Say has an advice with regards to your crowning glory: Your hairdresser is one of the most important persons in your life. Treat him/her well.

You won't find your ideal hairdresser instantly. You have to experiment different hairdressers, visit various salons, endure bad cuts, burn plenty of moolah at expensive professional-use hair products which promises shampoo-ad-worthy hair. Eventually, if you are lucky, you will find that perfect hairdresser -- The One, for you. Then stay with him/her. Till death do you part.

Here's some unconventional tips to look out for in your hairdresser:

1) Delivers results
Basically he should does what his job requires him to do -- cut/colour/etc. A decent job, if not spectacular. If you trying out a new hairdresser, he must at the very least does what he promises to do. If he says a certain cut will frame your face nicely, it'd better does that! I'm not saying he ought to be a magician and miraculously make your face less chubby with a wave of his scissors. But it should be somewhat close -- some obvious deliverable you can see and agree to.

2) Does not hard-sell
Very important rule.
This is a hairdressing for goodness sake, not sales. No decent stylist should behave like a salesman and persuade you relentlessly to sign up for hair packages! They may recommend certain treatment or products, but only once. I hate to spend four hours in the salon chair feeling jittery about when he'll find a new "monthly special" package to recommend me again. No thanks. And only no thanks, once.

3) Chats with you, but not too much
The hairdresser should treat you feel like a frequent flyer with special privilege reserved only for the regulars. These could be asking about the holiday trip you mentioned during your last trip to the salon, or about your pet dog, etc. But more importantly, s/he must not chat incessantly. I like to enjoy having someone shampoo my hair and massage my scalp, and I like to have these done in peace. So if your hairdresser is a chatterbox, consider being a little "unfriendlier" or colder so s/he gets it. Do it at your own risk (of the relationship!).

4) Make helpful recommendation
I wanted to get my whole hair recoloured and rebonded today. But my stylist said only the roots need to be fixed. "You sure?" I asked. He reassured saying he wouldn't turn down money if he could. So he did the minimal work on the roots. And indeed my hair looks like its got a fresh colour boost now that the roots -- and only the roots -- are fixed!

5) Discuss with you prior to any action
This could be either the cost of any product/service, or explaining the service procedure. A good stylist may even go into explaining why certain products is more suitable for your hair quality than others. Never allow the stylist to do anything to your hair without first consulting you. And never be shy to ask about the price first. You should decline if you don't feel comfortable paying for that product/service. And the stylist should not push it. This is the reason why I kept going back to my stylist, he's great with talking me through each step -- he even checks if I'm rushing for time so he can adjust the time needed for leaving the chemicals on my hair. Or asks if the smell of hair chemical is too strong for me.

6) Regular's discount
My hairdresser gives me discounts or promotional price without me having to ask. That's the best part about keeping a regular and responsible hairdresser. You know both your hair and your wallet are taken care of. Today, my stylist even gave my hair a special treatment free-of-charge! He won some hair products in a styling competition and isn't at all stingy in sharing the winning. He rubbed the product into the hair meticulously, as if I was paying for that service. Now that's what I call a great hairdressing experience!

7) Male hairstylist
One last tip I learnt from a girl friend ten years ago. Get a male hairstylist (if you are a girl). Female stylist tend to be task-focused and is less delicate with your head. Male stylists are gentler with ladies' tresses and won't pull out a lock of your mane while combing through it. Over the years, even when I change my stylist, I still request for another male stylist. I promise you this is the most useful tip I've ever learnt. Gay or straight, doesn't matter. But isn't it uber cool like to boast of a gay hairstylist on your speed dial?

How To Make New Friends

Whoever laments that it is difficult to make new friends at our twirty-something age, I'd just like to retort that it is not. It is easier than asking your boss for a promotion, it is not as hard as waking up at six in the morning, and it take more skills to scrub your bathtub when you have perfectly manicured nails than to make new friends.

Just be out there! Be open to going to a concert with your friend's friend's friends, or taking up tennis class with your cousin's colleagues, or meeting up for drinks with your sister's boyfriend's friends. Be open to invitations, and just have fun! When you simply throw yourselves out there and expect nothing but a fun time for yourself, you will attract happy people into your life. You will make new friends along the way -- without even trying.

It has been just over a week since I arrive home and even without planning, an array of activities has been lined up for me. Last week, a girl friend invited me to wakeboard with her boyfriend. I went along even though I haven't done it in years. Afterall, it'd just be a few good laughs should I submarine-d instead of ride the waves. Her boyfriend brought a friend along and after sharing a few (lame) jokes during the boat ride, we were camera-whoring like old friends do.

Last Saturday, my best friend's colleague celebrated her birthday at one of the most popular club in town. My best friend invited me to hang out with her Engineering department colleagues. Despite initial suspicion it would be an uneventful evening, her colleagues turned out to be dancing kings/queens. They were welcoming and chatty, and I learnt more than a few internal jokes and scandals.

Another friend invited me to a gig last night. It was a new album launch gig by a local band of which one of the member is his friend. I know neither the band nor the friend. I have never even attended a gig before! But it didn't take me long to agree to go. Always say yes, if you can, someone once told me. You never know what opportunities life holds for you. And indeed, I met three amazing girls at the gig. They were my friend's university friends. Upon seeing I was left alone at the bar when my friend went for a smoke outside, they invited me to join them at their table. I did, and they made special effort to include me in their conversations. We laughed, goss-ed, drank, and promised to stay in touch when the evening ended.

Throw yourself out there to allow life to open up doors for you. Have a soda the pub with your colleagues even if you don't drink. Have a go at the Pilates class which your best friend has been inviting you to try. Movie night with your friend's poker friends? Why not? You'll be surprise how easy it is to meet new people, and how many folks out there are open to making new friends just like you are.

Remember that everyone is just as uncertain about making new friends too. I am not one that advises people to "just be yourself". (I'll stay in bed all day if I'll just be myself!) You need to push yourself just a little more. My best advice: Be a little more chatty when you meet new friends. Don't just speak only when asked. Do the asking too. Then listen and respond. Everyone likes to talk to someone who seems interested. (And interesting!) Be that someone. It's that easy to make new friends.

I'm loving my new friendships, the excitement of joining new activities, the prospect of knowing there's a world of friends-who-don't-know-one-another-yet.

Bare Essential

The hot and humid weather back home does not incentivise me to wear makeup. Or wear my hair down. Or wear covered toes shoes. (My beloved Prada pumps are still waiting for their maiden voyage onto the street!) Hell, I'm not even wearing a good mood most afternoon when the sun is beating right into my room. What's with this tropical weather? Has it always been this humid?

How does a glamour queen keep her cool in such Amazon-like weather? Wear the bare essential, I advise. Save the chunky bracelet that gathers vapour between itself and your skin. Change the Posh Spice pencil-skirt for an A-line flare skirt. But the one that works best for me, leave out the foundation on your skin.

I need every pores in my body to "breathe" to get the cool air into my system. I hate to think my facial pores are clogged with Lancôme, producing facial oil instead of generating coolness. Foundation plus heat waves equals shiny T-zone, in record-time. (No, I'm not talking about the summer bronzy look here!) Wearing minimal makeup is the only way that works in our all-year summer weather.

Two words: Bare. Essential.

These what I wear on a day's trip to town:

1) Concealer

A colleague of mine said it well: If there's only one thing she can bring to a stranded island, it would be Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat. This is a highlighter that captures the light, reflecting off the dark spots on the face. The result is a balanced, brightened skin tone. A must-buy, trust me.

2) Powder

Powder evens out the patchy tones on one's face like a foundation does, without the mask-wearing feeling the latter induces. I wear Chanel Poudre Universelle. It has smooth texture that glides easily on your face, producing sufficient coverage while allowing your skin to breathe! And the powder stays on the whole day! What I love about Chanel is that all the cases comes in a velvety black pouch. No more unsightly scratches on the pretty case when you throw it into your bag.

3) Blusher
Perhaps your face is already flushed from the heat. For the rest of us, wear some colours on your cheek for goodness sake. The last thing you need is a homogeneous-toned face, like those who are push out of the morgue. Blusher adds a healthy glow to our face instantly. MAC has blusher with good pigmentation. One quick sweep of the blusher is all you need.

For the sunkissed look, I use MAC Foolish Me. It adds a vibrant peachy hue to your cheeks. It looks very orange-y in its case, but turns out to be a nice peach coral colour when applied. The best thing is the shimmer tone in the blusher! It bounces the sunlight off your face during the day, and adds instant oomph for the night! Perfect!

I also bought MAC Pink Swoon recently. With the subtlest hue of pink in it, I easily control the radiance I desire. Barring the shimmer dust in it, it adds an Innocent girlish soft blush to your cheek. Very cute.

4) Eyeliner

A great eyeliner to use is the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner. Easy to use and long-lasting, I draw the upper eyelids only for my day-look. Remember, only the bare essential is needed. So this is sufficient to "open" your eyes and make you look more awake. For a night out, I add in a line on the lower eyelids for a more defined look. I often blend the eyeliner out for a soft smokey look too. A note of advice, use the Espresso Ink (a dark brown shade). Black is too harsh for the day.

5) Lip Gloss

Luckily one can't gain weight with lip gloss. Because it is irresistible to not lick off Lancôme Juicy Tube! It took my sister some convincing but she recently took the plunge and bought a Juicy Tube in Toffee Pop. She couldn't stop raving about how yummy it is -- just like the real toffee! I tried it too and it's true! I'm using the colour Framboise now. Well, then again, I have five other colours too! Use it alone or over your lipstick (I say forget about the lipstick), it has little colour but lotsa fun and flavour! Add power to your pout!

Mascara? Save it. Bare essential, remember? Use if only for a night out. Keep your face fresh and minimal during the day. When yours truly is running for time, I even skip the eyeliner. Because it adds little to the face. The most important rule is to keep the look fresh from the makeup pile-up.

One last thing. Keep the facial blotter handy. I use the lovely Pink Grapefruit Oil Absorbing Sheets from Clean&Clear. Great smell, works wonder. Dab your face with the blotter when you feel greasy. Then touch up with a thin layer of powder. Instant fresh look again! Such is a case when you can say less is more! Stay cool, stay essentially bare!

Just Do It (In Secrecy)

Secrecy is the first law of Magic
- Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

It is no secret that I took a month of leave to come home, in preparation of my exit from my current overseas posting. It is also no secret that I had intention to quit last year, and we're into the second half of this year thus my plans have been much delayed. It irks me to the core whenever someone teases, "you always say you're gonna quit, you'll never do", or jeers, "last year you said the same thing, you're still here now", or mocks, "I've heard that before". The fact is that I did have serious plans to leave my job. But something even more serious and important came up in my life that made those plans inadmissible. At least for the time being. Why should I be subjected to such sneering of skepticism, or be taunted with accountability to them? Or is it with the liability to my declaration of plans? (And hence the embarrassment that follows when they fail?)

I used to believe that announcing my intentions would gather support from friends, or affirmations from the good-willed. Afterall, for a major decision such as changing your job or buying a property, you ought to let everyone in your network know your plans so they can keep a lookout for you, or throw in their two-cent worth of advice, right? Wrong.

Firstly, no one cares that much. Only nosey folks make useless small talks. Because they are also eager to take a jab at you when your "life-changing plans" fail. Friends (and I use the term loosely) who congratulate you on your entrepreneurship now will be quick to throw in those "I already knew"-counsel once you fall from grace.

Secondly, when you share your intentions with the wrong crowd, you will attract their discouragement and unbelief. All the "you shouldn't"s and the "you can't"s. These negative energies can undermine your motivation. Focus on your plan, not on what they think you shouldn't/cant' do.

The other downfall of announcing your plans is that you will give yourself a "premature sense of completion" as mentioned here. And I quote,

You have “identity symbols” in your brain that make your self-image. Since both actions and talk create symbols in your brain, talking satisfies the brain enough that it “neglects the pursuit of further symbols.”

Announcing your plans to others satisfies your self-identity just enough that you’re less motivated to do the hard work needed.

Simply talking about it dissipates the energy that motivates you to put it into action. Don't lose the energy focus. Act on the motivation.

It may be difficult to hold in your excitement about that new plan. It is tough to not share your goals with your mates. But go against your natural instinct if you have to. Don't attract their pessimism. Save your energy for the hard work of your plan.

If you have any plans in life, just do it.
Plan and execute them, in secrecy.

Just. Do. It.
In secrecy.

"If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."
- Albert Einstein

Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen

No, not the song by Baz Luhrmann. Although it is one of my favourite song. I'm writing about sunscreen.

My Sunday morning was spent at the sea wakeboarding. Damn right, your Lifestyle Queen is getting all healthy and sporty lately, what with the yoga and the wakeboarding. Although this was a common phenonmenon today...
I woke up to an overcast sky this morning. It was perfect for the girls and I since we're not too keen on the tan-look. My friend brought along her spray-on sunscreen and I had a go at it.I hereby declare sunscreen spray is the only way to go for sun protection! Spray-on is so easy to use and is the most efficient way to get the sunscreen all over your body evenly. Also, no more white patches on your skin that happens when the cream sunscreen is not rub into the skin sufficiently. Run out and get this from your nearest drugstore.

Especially when doing water sports, one must remember to keep replenishing your sunscreen. Everytime I was in the water and I wipe the water off my face, I removed some sunscreen from my face too. Thus, the result is a nose as red as Rudolph the red nose reindeer. And my lips are burning and slightly raw as if I just drank tom yum soup. Not a pleasant feeling. Or sight, to say the least.

I also remember my cousin lamenting the tan lines around the top of her feet after our holiday in southern France recently. Or my sister teasing her boyfriend about his sunburnt scalp after their Kota Kinabalu getaway last week. Splattering on sunscreen is only the first step to sun protection. Here are other top tips to sunscreen wearing:

1) Check the expiry date.
Yes, they have expiry date. The active ingredients in the sunscreen may break down and lose their effectiveness after certain period. The last thing you need is a case of a bad sunburn and bad rash from the expired chemicals.

2) SPF 30
This is more than enough. Sun Protection Factor 30 allows you to stay in the sun 30 times longer before you get sunburnt. SPF 30 already blocks out 97% of the harmful UVB rays. Do you really need more? Feel free to use higher SPF, the difference is little.

3) UVA and UVB
Did you know sunscreen is not the same as sunblock? Chemicals in sunscreen absorbs the UV radiation whereas those in sunblock reflects the UV rays to protect your skin. Absorb? Reflects? I say potato, potahto. Just use a sunscreen/sunblock that has UVA and UVB protection. Period.

4) Apply half an hour before going into the sun.
This is to allow the active ingredients in the sunscreen to start working on the skin.

5) Reapply every 15-30 minutes.
I say 30 minutes. I'm really not keen on running for my can of spray-on every 15 minutes in a game of beach volleyball, or putting down my book before I can finish one chapter in that 15 minutes on the beach chair.

This is the crux of the matter -- the list of places one always miss while applying sunblock:

1. Eyelids
   The skin around your eyes are much thinner than the rest of your face. Surely one shouldn't neglect this delicate region.


2. Lips
   Do you want goth-inspired dark lips? Use a SPF 15 lip balm for goodness sake.


3. Ear
   Earlobe and back of ear are the spots we most often missed.


4. Top of feet
   Do you know how difficult it is to get rid of the tan line of your sandals or mary-jane strap if you forget to apply sunblock on your feet?


5. Back of neck
   Flaky wrinkly neck is not pretty. You don't want others to think you're diseased.


6. Scalp or exposed hairline
   Mostly for guys with really short hair. Take note, please.

This shall be your checklist the next time you apply that sunscreen. Now I have to go nurse my tender nose and burnt lips.

How To Be A Savvy Traveller

There are more than a few things I have learnt from my hundreds of flight experience. In the last four years, I have taken more flights than bus rides, ate more aircraft food than mom's cooking, slept in more hotel rooms than make my own bed in the morning. (Well then again, I do not get up in the morning most days anyway.) I could offer one more travelling tips than your hand-carry bag can pack. So I've decided to consolidate them and select the top quintessential-but-atypical tips for travelling. Now they don't teach you this in school.

1) Three pairs of footwear
- flats, for extended walking
- slippers, for beach and around hotel
- dressy heels, for fancy dinner and clubbing

When one travels, exploring the city by foot is not unexpected. So what better way to get around town then in flats. Vacation and heels are not friends, period. Ok, unless you are holidaying in Monte Carlos. Wear covered flats to protect your already exhausted feet from the harsh weather condition. Open toes/fancy slippers plus few hours of walking equals to blisters.

I never travel without my Havaianas. Even though most days I sleep once I reach the hotel, sometimes I also make use of the swimming pool in the hotel. Or I may decide to use the computer in the business centre in the hotel. Or go to the beach to chill and read a book (or the dudes-in-speedos). Slippers are the easiest way to get around in.

We never know where life will take us, especially when we travel! So even if you reckon you are set up for the most predictable evening of room service and early night, bring your fancy heels! One may make a new friend along the way and decide to dine in a restaurant. Or have a drink in the chicest club in town. Do not miss out on life's opportunity in fun and spontaneity because of inappropriate shoes!

p.s. If in winter condition, add an extra pair of boots.

2) Hair Conditioner
Four years of intensive travelling and I have never packed my own shampoo or shower gel. If one stays at a decent three-star and above hotel, the amenities in your room will surely include them. I've been lucky to stay mostly in five-star hotels, so the complimentary bath products have been in the L'occitane and Crabtree & Evelyn (eg. Hilton) range.

But please carry your own hair conditioner. This is the only toiletries you need. No hotel conditioner will get it right for your hair. Those complimentary conditioners are usually weak and useless in moisturising your hair. It's tough enough for your hair to adjust to the different water condition, the last thing you need is a useless conditioner. And you may not be able to buy that particular brand in the country even if you have the moolah. So heed my advice, leave the shampoo and bath gel at home. Save the luggage space for that hair conditioner.

3) Colourful clothes
Holiday pictures should look fun! So if you are not the best at striking interesting poses, or pretending you are having the best time of your life, my best tip is to wear colourful clothes. Bring lotsa summer dresses for that beach vacation. Bring a contrasting coloured scarf or multicoloured beanie for the winter holiday. Leave the blacks and the solid colours tops at home. Pack the fuchsia and the yellows so they brighten up the photos even when the background seems dull!

4) Bag with shoulder strap
Bring a neutral colour bag that will match with any colour clothes you may be wearing for the trip. And please make sure the bag has a shoulder strap. Messenger bag or waist pouch (I'll never be caught dead in one though!) are okay too. Arm-carried bags may seem manageable for an afternoon of window-shopping at home. But while on holiday and carrying in it your passport, camera, handphones, maps, guidebooks etc, you may start to hate that Gucci at the end of the trip. And you probably need both hands for phototaking. Shoulder strap bags only, please.

5) Shawl
A shawl is probably the best investment a girl can make in. It is thin enough to pack in your handbag everywhere you go, it is warm enough to keep you snugged. I carry my shawl in my bag even when I go to the mall or restaurants, especially when I'm wearing something sleeveless. When I go on overseas trips, I pack it in my luggage so I'll be ready in case of a sudden change of weather. I have used it as my winter saviour when I forgot Australia is winter in June. I have used it as an umbrella when a sudden rain poured on me in Hong Kong. I have used it to glam up my summer dress when a beach holiday in Athens took me to a classy restaurant in the evening. Oh how versatile is a shawl!

6) Sunglasses
For those who hate waking up in the morning and hate it even more to put on makeup on those early vacation mornings-- when no amount of mascara would make those sleepy eyes open! The best tip, don your sunglasses! I always choose my celebrity-style mega sunglasses that cover half my face. Instant chicness! Save the eye makeup, save the eyebrow trimming, save the blushers. Sunglasses are an essential holiday no-go, from beach holiday to blending in with the ultra-posh crowd in Upper East Side in Manhattan. Voila!

7) Moisturiser
I don't have to explain just how dehydrating the aircraft air is. Anyone who's flown in one before has felt that so-tight-I-don't-need-botox-anymore feeling on their face after a flight. Do yourself a favour and pack that ultra-moisturising face and body lotion and treat yourself to a rehydrating session in your hotel room. I usually pack a sheet mask in my luggage. After a flight, I'll drape the mask on my face before going to bed so my skin has all night to drink up the moisture its lost. Easy tip for lazy folks like me.

Travel light, travel smart. Universal adaptor? Umbrella? Most hotels would provide them at no charge. Whatever you can borrow, share, or reuse, do it.

This list started out with three tips. As I write on, I realised there are so many travelling tips I'd like to share! But if I could only pick my top tips, I say follow the first three tips. Three pairs of shoes, hair conditioner, colourful clothes. They will get you anywhere from Buenos Aires to Budapest to Bali, savvy traveller!

The Importance Of Being Polite

Two weeks ago, I bought a pair of Prada pumps from Saks Fifth Avenue. My little resistance to killer heels didn't withstand the 30% discount Saks was offering. (And really, my legs are endlessly long when I wear them!) I just have to have them. But the thing with Saks is that they almost always offer further discount after a few weeks. Last year, they had 80% *gasp!* off Coach and Prada, just to name a few, at the end of the sale period. So I was in a dilemma between getting my must-have heels now but risk further discount, or waiting for further reduction but risk not having my size anymore. I asked the sales associate if the Prada pumps would go on further discount. She informed me that this is the latest Spring/Summer 2009 collection so there won't be further discount. Only those from older seasons will go on further reduction. She promised.

So I caved in. Bought the black-cap pink pumps home and was as joyful as Christmas morning feels like. I have been gleefully trotting around my room in my new Prada every other day, hoping for a special occasion to wear them out.

Earlier this week, a girlfriend informed me that my new Prada is on 50% at Saks! Imagine the horror. *cue horror music* And anger. And feeling of being cheated. I decided I need to fix things.

Well, all my friends assumed I was gonna go down to Saks and make a scene. You know, the usual screaming at the poor cheating sales associate, threatening to make her lose her job-which-cost-as-much-as-my-Prada, name-calling, boycotting Saks (yeah right!) and the likes.

Remember this: You attract more bees with honey than vinegar.

So I decided to phone the sales associate and explain how I felt. She remembered me and the "promise" she gave. I was very polite and most of all non-accusatory so I guess she felt even worse about the wrong information she gave me. She said she would ask her store manager if there was anything she could do about it. I told her I appreciated her help and will wait for her reply.

So today, she phoned back as agreed. The store manager unfortunately but not surprisingly refused her request to refund me the difference in discount - even though it was misinformation on their part. The sale associate was genuinely apologetic and suggested various alternatives. After a few more phone calls and resolutions, (just between you and me *whisper*) she told me she can ask for store credit in that amount and asked if I would like that. Hell, yes! Will go to Saks tomorrow to collect my already-paid-for-by-myself gift card.

The way the world works is with politeness. Not rudeness. There is little use in being loud or demanding. You may get your way for a while, but never the real deal. I manage a vast (you cannot even imagine) array of customers everyday in my job. I have seen it all. I can't emphasize enough the importance of being polite. So trust me on this.

More shopping at Saks tomorrow. Hello, Sale!

Fashion Faux Paux

It's sale season everywhere *hallelujah!* and fashion name dropping is necessary, if not essential! But the only thing about fashion that hurts more than clear bra straps is bad fashion name pronunciation! Ok, and muffin-tops too. Eew!

Ladies and gentlemen, do not make the fashion faux pas (pronounce "foe pah", by the way) of mispronouncing designer labels. Yes, I understand these are difficult to pronounce names, and that most of us are not French/Italian native speakers. But there is a whole world of resources out there! Ask a fashionista friend, Google it, check on Vogue forum, there is no excuse to say you are wearing a "Loh-bo-tIN", and carrying a "Low-Wee".

Correct pronunciation, in and beyond fashion, is one of my pet peeve (next only to spelling). Unless I've already got it right, I never attempt to say it or pronounce the label. Lately while shopping with my girlfriends, I've been asked to help pronounce certain designer names. I'm glad my secret obsession with articulation finally comes in handy, and fashionably!

I've consolidated a list of popular designer labels with the correct pronunciation that will help with one's designer names struggle. This is the ultimate fashionista's list to avoid fashion faux paux when label-dropping in future!

A
Agnes B. : Ahn-nyaz-beh
Andrew Gn: Andrew Jen (rhymes with “ten”)
Anteprima: On-tay-pre-ma
Anya Hindmarch: Ahn-ya Heind-march

B
Badgley Mischka: Badge-lee Meesh-ka
Bebe: Bee-bee
Balenciaga: Bah-len-see-AH-gah
Bally: BAH-li
Balmain: Bal-mah
Bottega Veneta: Bo-tega Ven-e-ta
Bulgari: Bool-gah-ree
Burberry Prorsum: Bur-bur-ree Pror-some

C
Cacharel: Cash-er-el
Carolina Herrera: Caro-leena Hair-era
Cerruti: Cher-ru-tee
Chanel: Sha-Nel
Chopard: Sho PAR
Christian Louboutin: Kris-tian loo-boo-tahn (soft N)
Christian Lacroix: Kris-tian LAH-kwa
Christian Dior: Kris-tian Dee-yor
Commes des Garcons: Comb day Garse-on

D
Diane von Furstenberg: Diane Von Fur-sten-berg
Dolce & Gabbana: Dole-chay and Gah-Bah-na
Dries Van Noten: Dress Vahn NOH-tehn

E
Elie Saab: EH-li Zahb
Emanuel Ungaro: Ee-MAN-noo-el OON-Gah-ro
Emilio Pucci: Ehm-ee-lee-o Poo-chee
Emporio Armani: Em-POHR-yo AR-mah-ni
Ermenegildo Zegna: Ehr-MAN-ni-jil-do ZEYN-ya
Etro: EHT-tro

F
Fendi: Fend-ee
Furla: Foor-la

G
Giuseppe Zanotti: Gee-zepee Zanottee
Givenchy: Jee-von-shee
Gianfranco Ferre: Jawn-franco Fair-ay
Gucci: Goo-chee
Guy Laroche: Ghee Lah-Rosh

H
Helmut Lang: HEL-moot Lung
Hermès: Air-mehz
Hervé Léger: Air-vay Lay-jay

I
Issey Miyake: Eees-Ay Me-Yah-Kee

J
Jean Paul Gaultier: Jawn Paul Goat-ee-ay

L
Lanvin: Lon-VAN
Loewe: Low-ey-vay
Longchamp: Long-shum
Louis Vuitton: Loo-ee Voo-ee-ton

M
Manolo Blahnik: Ma-no-low Blah-nick
Missoni: Miss-own-ee
Miu Miu: Myu Myu
Moschino: Mo-ski-no

N
Narciso Rodriguez: Nar-siss-so Ro-dree-gez

P
Prada: Pra-Da
Pierre Cardin: Pee-air Car-dahn
Proenza Schouler: Pro-enza Skool-er

R
Ralph Lauren: Ralph Lauren (rhymes with "foreign")
Roberto Cavalli: Ro-BER-to KA-VA-lee
Rochas: Ro-Shahs

S
Sonia Rykiel: Sonia Ree-kee-eel

T
Thakoon: Ta-koon
Thierry Mugler: Tee-air-ree Moog-lay

V
Vacheron Constantin: Va-sha-Ron Con-ston-Tahn
Versace: Ver-sah-chee

Y
Yves Saint Laurent: Eve-sahn-Laur-ahnt

Z
Zac Posen: Poe-zen

Lately, all the major fashion houses are distinguishing themselves from the mainstream with haute coutour. This is some serious business -- and word -- one should investigate. Let's say it right once and for all.

Haute Coutour: /ot kutyʁ/ "Oat coot-Tour"

Here's also a link I found on YouTube that says it all, literally. From Hermès to Lacriox, hear it the way it oughtta be said! Au revoir, fashion faux paux!