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!

Mediterranean

I'm sitting here on the balcony of my room in a five-star hotel, on a beautiful Mediterranean island in the perfect heat of summer time. The air is salty but cool. Each breath I take is light and refreshing. The warm sunshine beats down on my fresh golden tan skin. I look out at the cloudless sky, the blue and white stripes sundecks spotting all the balconies, I hear the carefree laughter of the kids playing in the swimming pool nearby, and the giggles of the teenagers too. I feel a strange sense tranquillity overruns me.

I know days like that will never come again.

Close my eyes, take a deep breath of the sea air. Forgetting yesterday's mistakes and tomorrow's worries, summer times and the privilege of youth never felt better than now. Now. This special moment. I. Am. Satisfied.

And for all the grumbles I have about this business of travelling alone, I feel like now is Paradise. This is what it means to be living! This will never come again! This life, this perfect moment of serenity in this splendid little Mediterranean island. This moment will last forever in my mind. For the rest of my life.

That's the lure of the Mediterranean. Summer days never end. Youth lasts forever.

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!

Hope: Drug or Remedy

Was watching a re-run of Sex and the City yesterday. One can never get enough of this show! No matter what age group you belong to, no matter how many times you've watched the show, no matter which stage in life or what emotional state you are watching the show at, you'll always relate to one part of the show or other. You'll always find a "that's me!"-moment. You'll also be thankful there are millions and millions of women out there struggling with the same issues you've been so tortured with, and that your problem is not unique. And there are solutions to it. Even if there are none, take heart in knowing that some of us do really understand you. (Alright, unless you are a man.)

In the episode last night, Carrie Bradshaw asked this question:
Is hope a drug we need to go off of or is it keeping us alive?

This questiong has been going through my mind all day. Why do women torture ourselves with aching hopes, and then get ourselves crushed when hope drops us from the high? Are you not strong enough to go off the drug of hope, and rather be addicted to hope and risk your heart out there over and over again?

Or is hope the elixir of life that puts that dance in your step each day, making you more alive whenever you remember how all the risks and optimism may someday reap a good harvest? In the book of Corinthians in the bible, it says "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love." It is certainly a very important essence in life. What's a life if you can't/wont' even believe in hope anymore?

Is hope a drug we need to go off of or is it keeping us alive?

A Girl's Gotta Do What A Girl's Gotta Do

I went for Yoga class yesterday. And today. So it's not difficult to imagine how tight my muscles feel now. Any swift movement may snap one of those at the back of my thighs. Ouch. I dread the pain, yet I crave the ache. These achy feelings remind me that I had a good workout. (Or that I need to work out more? Oh well.)

Had a warm shower and made myself a nice quick dinner. Feeling so relaxed I feel like climbing into bed and have a good read before an early night. But my girlfriends just texted me to hang out tonight. After struggling back and forth, I've decided to head out. Trust me, it's not an easy decision to make when I'm already halfway into dreamland. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Staying in and having a me-time can wait. Hanging out with the girls and exchanging information (read: gossiping) is priceless.

Isn't life like that too? Often in life, we have to make difficult decision. And we often choose the decision that's hard on ourselves. But this is part of the learning process. We always learn much more when we make tough choices. We always learn more about life and out of life when take the road less travelled. Today it may be going out versus staying in. Tomorrow it could be marrying the wrong man or walking away from a bad relationship (random example that came to my mind). Make wise decision, girlfriends. Do what a smart, sassy, independent girl would do in every decision battle.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Hanging out with her girls gotta be quite high on the priority list. Cos few things beats a good girls' night out! Gotta run!

Present Tense

I've always loved poetry. I even took up an elective in American Literature in the university. That was when I was exposed to Robert Frost, Edgar Allen Poe, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the likes. More than once I've had the goosebumps feelings when a certain poetry struck a chord in me. How could a few simple words put together be so beautiful, and meaningful?

This poem by Jason Lehman brought a little tear to my eyes when I read it this evening. It is tragically beautiful.

It was Spring.
But it was Summer I wanted,
The warm days,
And the great outdoors.

It was Summer.
But it was Fall I wanted,
The colorful leaves,
And the cool, dry air.

It was Fall.
But it was Winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow,
And the joy of the holiday season.

It was Winter.
But it was Spring I wanted,
The warmth,
And the blossoming of nature.

I was a child.
But it was adulthood I wanted,
The freedom,
And the respect.

I was twenty.
But it was thirty I wanted,
To be mature,
And sophisticated.

I was middle-aged.
But it was twenty I wanted,
The youth,
And the free spirit.

I was retired.
But it was middle-age I wanted,
The presence of mind,
Without limitations.

Then my life was over.
And I never got what I wanted.

~ Present Tense by Jason Lehman (1989) ~

Classy And Fabulous

Coco Chanel said "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."

You can be fabulous in your charming personality, your blessed good looks, your expensive makeup and shoes. But to be classy, this is the tricky one. If I can only offer one advice, read. Read extensively. Not just the heavy duty scientific encyclopedia or anthropological thesis, read everything and anything. Read the Financial Times, read Vogue, read an autobiography, read the history of the World Wars, read a Marian Keyes, read a Paolo Coelho, read the Bible, read the Atlas, read ColdFusion for Dummies, read modern poetry, read trivial facts.

Read. Extensively.

In that way, you'll be able to strike up a conversation with anyone. And that classy side of you will show through the subject knowledge, and the way you speak about them. You will be confident in your self-worth, you have your own opinion on aplenty topics, you are able to carry your thoughts across in a smart and stylish manner.

You don't have to dress like a million bucks to prove you are classy. You don't have to speak like a lady-in-waiting to be classy. You do need a good brain to work that elegant side of you.

Read, girlfriends. Read extensively.
And be Classy and Fabulous.

Yoga

I went for my very first Yoga class yesterday evening. It was easier than I had expected. Love the Tree pose, Lotus pose, and all the exotic names the instructor used. Hell, I even like just saying "I just came from Yoga". (In fact I did. Bump into a friend on my way home and told him that. Like the sound of it.)

My limbs are aching so much today. The Yoga poses really stretch your muscles. I had worked muscles I never knew existed! The leg lifts were really difficult for me and my whole body was quivering with exhaustion just holding that pose for 20seconds. But when I feel the achy feeling in my abdomen, my back muscles, my upper arms and my calves and thighs, I knew I had a good workout yesterday.

For someone who hasn't exercised for the last two years, signing up for Yoga class is a major milestone for me. Why did I decide to break my exercise fast? Age. And health. As we get older, exercise is more important than you imagine. Oh well, you won't understand that until you realise you recover slower from an illness than five years ago, your paper cut takes days instead of hours to heal, your giggly tummy takes weeks to disappear even though they used to flatten after two days of dieting.

Also, I've been having a persistent upper backache for the last 10 years. Yes, a decade. It's time to do something about it. I'm confident the stretching poses in Yoga will help.

And every lifestyle queen needs tone arms and flat stomach to pull off those Cavallis and McQueens. Not to mention the healthy glowing skin after you work up a sweat. What better way to achieve them than some chi chi Yoga class?

I'm going to Yoga tomorrow. (I really like the sound of it.)