Heyheyhey! It’s November already, time to get your leaves approved and flights booked!

What are your holiday plans for the end of the year?

Moo and I are planning to head up to Cameron Highlands for a change of weather, away from the heat and humidity of KL city. We’re huge fans of nature, tea and strawberries too so yep that’s our December plans!

Staying away from snow this year! Saving up for bigger plans… heheh.

Speaking of holiday seasons, let’s check out what the trending winter fashion will look like this year. Stripped right off the runway, here’s a brief trend prediction and a fashion report for AW2014- emerging trends!

Although there will never be snow or winter in Malaysia, there’s no stopping us from donning trendy winter wear nonetheless!

 
In fashion terms (if not meteorological ones) the Autumn-Winter season is the hottest of the year. I’ve always loved classy and stylish winter wear. I’d wear it more often if it wasn’t so hot in Malaysia!

With layers, leather jackets, tailored coats and dramatic accessories, it’s only when the nights draw in that your fashion star can truly shine.

I’m a huge fan of leather jackets and wear them rather often no matter what the occasion is! It brings out that rocker-chic biker girl rebel streak in me.

Checking out ’em Harley Davidsons.

 
The Lady 

One emerging trend for AW2014-15 is a prim, ladylike silhouette.

Think full 50s skirts, but with a nod to modernity in leather or vinyl.

Something like this vintage 50s poster but with a twist of today’s style!

Match them with a spotted blouse for a nod to Grease, but a look that’s all Vogue.

I wear 50s inspired skirts too!

I’d say it’s called the skater skirt in this era.

One Love, One Lobe 

 
This one’s easily replicated without a massive dent to your bank balance.

Emulate the models at Celine and wear a massive statement earring in just one lobe. I usually wear mismatched earrings for fun, but it’s only when I can’t find the other side that I wear my earring on one lobe. 😀

Whoops! Talk about accidental runway-style! 😀

Fashion can be anything these days, really. It’s so subjective; much like art.

All accessories are by my amazing sponsors: The Wild Things. Check ’em out!

Get creative and make your own with fancy beads and feathers, or pick up a vintage gem at a Sunday market. This look works best with a simple, chic base, so try it with skinny-fitting black trousers and a jacket in a luxurious material.

This single-statement one lobed earring seems like a really quirky idea! Something up my alley. I never knew it could be a trend set for this Autumn-Winter.

Why don’t you try this on your next night out?

Oh the Irony: Normcore

 
Don’t sigh. This “normal” look is far from dull: it’s all about wearing classic wardrobe pieces in navy, grey, beige, and black, but in the most sumptuous fabrics you can possibly afford.

Normcore enough? My trenchcoat last Christmas.

Look to high-end high street brands to help out with this trend, and check in with bargain Japanese clothing experts Uniqlo for their pure cashmere woollens, silk jackets and tailored trousers.

If your budget can reach so far, try Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs for designer takes on this most ironic of trends.

Defined as a bland, anti-style, think of it as your everyday back-to-basics, turned designer standards. Who says designer looks must be flamboyant all the time? 🙂

Flashy ‘n’ Trashy

Another trend with more than a pinch of irony- or perhaps a postmodern critique of consumer society’s idolatrous brand worship (hard to say).

Like normcore, this trend captures the idea of “normal” before blowing it sky-high and transforming it into high-end couture.

This was probably best seen in Karl Lagerfeld and Moschino’s shows: the former was supermarket-themed with everyday branded products appearing on clothes (like a Pepto-Bismol crop top).

It’s basically a supermarket medication for diarrhoea & heartburn.

Today, it’s fashion. *gulp.

Moschino took the iconic Golden Arches of a popular American fast food brand, and emblazoned them on handbags carries out by models dressed as servers. How creative!

While this might not be a street-style look to any but the boldest among us, channel the brand trend with plastic fantastic jewellery and accessories.

I guess I could say I dress up my cat fashionably too – with his Superman tee!

Now that’s really unique fashion right there. I occasionally wear supermarket & fast-food fashion too – does my Starbucks tee, Coca-Cola tank top and  McDonalds statement tee count? 😛

Of Trousers and Workwear Made Snazzy

In previous years, we’ve followed Alexa Chung and worn oilskin Barbour jackets, and dressed like urban lumberjacks in worn jeans and checked flannel shirts.

Alexa Chung in Tommy Hilfiger

My fave pair of boots and comfy trousers!

A new urban outdoor trend is now emerging: hiking-inspired ensembles. Pair your lined or waterproof walking trousers with sturdy boots and a delicate shirt for contrast.

Perfect for cold and rainy days, as good enough to hit the bar following a hike on Hampstead Heath. Phew.

This is the closest thing that I wore recently that had flannel in it.

Do I look like a modern lumberjack? 😛

However you choose to channel the new-season trends, don’t forget that a dramatic look and buckets of confidence will get you further than any copycat catwalk look: inject your personality into on-trend items with old favourites and classic pieces to retain your sense of individuality.

No matter where you plan to go this holiday season, do remember to stay warm for winter, have a safe flight and always stay fashionable with these fashion-forward tips straight from the Autumn-Winter runway!

Oh hey! It's the month of June already.

If you ask me, this year flew by really swiftly. Before I knew it, we're already almost halfway into the year 2013. 

Where did all the time go?

Hmmm… maybe getting starting my new job made me feel like time had fleeted by so fast.

Cold days at work. When the advertising industry debilitates me whole by the end of the day, all I can do is to curl up with my fave mug of hot chocolate

As keeping busy takes up most of my time, my days aren't as dreary and long as it would probably feel if I were to be jobless or bored at home with absolutely nothing to do. To be honest, I do miss being bored sometimes. 

I could only wish for more hours in my day. 

My life is so fast-paced, especially this year, that I don't even have the time to feel bored anymore! 

Masaku betul2 berlalu dengan laju sangat. Alangkah baiknya jika kita mempunyai lebih masa setiap hari? Katakanlah 30 jam sehari berbanding dengan hanya 24 jam. Lebih banyak kerja yang dapat diselesaikan dalam satu hari dan perkara akan dilakukan secara jauh lebih berkesan, kan?

Ahhh, wishful thinking at best. 

Anyway, this week was relatively mundane with a sprinkle of colour towards the weekend. Okay, recap! 

Daily trainings and awesome post-workout meals.

It was upper body: chest, shoulders, back and arm day

Made organic fusilli pasta bake with honey glazed eggplant, carrots & tomato,

tossed with grapeseed oil, basil and cottage cheese.

Rolled wholegrain oats with soy milk, banana slices and golden kiwi

Organic brown rice with chicken chunks, button mushrooms & flax seeds,

steamed in spring onion, garlic-ginger-onion-herb paste made from scratch! 

Tonight's outfit of the day.

Was invited to Longchamp Paris' Exclusive Preview of their Fall/Winter collection.

Full blog feature soon!

May 29, 2013 | Amazing new release by #Longchamp #Paris! Here are my favorites from their 2013 Fall/Winter collection! ❤ by imthejessicat on Keek.com

Randomly, just randomly, I'm vaguely aware of how my sense of dressing has mellowed so much. Ugh.

Although sexy tops, tight skirts, mini dresses and belly bearing tops still appeal to me, I noticed a paradigm shift in my taste in clothing as of late – probably since the beginning of the year. I have to admit, this "change" scares me a little.

I think this means I'm succumbing to the ravages of time and age. OH NO. 

Aku rase aku sekarang nih dah makin tua.  Jadi, tidak hairanlah apabila aku semakin berpaling kepada cara berpakaian yang lebih klasik ataupun sedikit sebanyak konservatif, jika berbanding dengan fesyen yang biasanya aku dilihat memakai.

Nowadays, classy high-cut tops, demure outfits, long dresses, classic, elegant pieces and the corporate OL (office lady) look strikes my fancy. Umm. really Jess, since when?

What happened to that wild, partygirl look you often portray? 

Date night out in the city. We chose El Cerdo KL Spanish Restaurant, Changkat Bukit Bintang

We had tapas. Gambas Al AjilloCalamares (above) and A La Plancha (below)

Loved its freshness and mild but delightful flavours!

★★★★★

May 30, 2013 | #Night outs! #Dinner in the #city. Drinks by the #bar ❤ by imthejessicat on Keek.com

We also met up with some friends for a bit of Wednesday night partying 

One person is missing from the picture! I guess I'll have to photoshop bestiePam's head in LOL

Bumped into an old friend, Anu, from Penang!

We were squash players back in high school

Excuse my vanity. I don't usually have the time to doll up 

Take two.

I have a new addition to my arsenal of gadgets now. Say hello to my new sexy white thing.

The SAMSUNG Galaxy Camera 

Fancy some cat pictures for the start of the week?

What you are about to see is my furkid, Chivas, in compromising positions

The weekends finally loomed closer; about time it did!

Friday night saw me packing my bags and heading up to Ipoh to spend some time with the family for the weekend.

We had a sumptous family feast. Japanese dinner at

Zento Sushi @ Festival Walk which left us full to the brim and beyond satisfied.

★★★★★

Full blog feature/review coming soon!

Being away for the weekend didn't deter me from carrying out my routines.

Here's a makeshift circuit I did at the porch of my home.

Oh, this Ipoh trip marked my first time boarding the Electric Train Service (ETS) from KL Sentral Railway Station.

I came to a conclusion that I didn't want to drive two hours to Ipoh and another two hours back. I just can't be bothered, really.

The train ride was incredibly smooth and gave me a pleasant experience!

It was punctual – arriving on the dot!

The carriages/coaches were clean, spacious, comfortable and had on-board entertainment (hurray for Mr. Bean!) to boot.

Instead of spending a taxing two hours squinting into the distance when I drive at night and speeding (being me, admittedly) down the highway at 140km/h, all I had to do was to get to the railway station, board the train, pop up my laptop and do my work or leisure for the entire two hours.

Arriving with zero stress.

Sounds like a much better option, no doubt! 

Thumbs up to Malaysian public transportation! 

Architecture-wise, I was pretty impressed by how the railway station looked.

Fringing the railway tracks were high-rise horseshoe and orgee arches plastered in white. It had this British heritage look and feel to it.

You know the concept of crisp-looking whitewashed buildings of moorish designs, pairs of columned porches, symmetrical windows flanking the main, arched entrances?

Yeah the whole train station boasted that entire notion; and I loved it.

It felt as though I was stepping out of the Hogwarts Express train into London's King's Cross railway station.

Before I got too carried away in my reverie, I stopped myself from running into the wall in hopes of traversing into a secret, hidden platform to Hogwarts HAHAHA.

I'm deluded like that.

On our way to the Ipoh Railway Station

Jun 2, 2013 | Whilst on our way to the #Ipoh railway station to head back to #KL #city! by imthejessicat on Keek.com

Farewell, Ipoh Railway Station. I'll be back!

The sunset on the way back was breathtaking

This photo does no justice to the deep vermillion, purple and crimson hues that illuminated the evening sky

Theboyf and I decided to pig out and grab some Mexican cuisine for dinner upon arriving KL.

Actually, it was his idea. We were starving by the time we arrived the city.

Chilis Grill & Bar Restaurant, Bangsar Shopping Centre

★★★★★

The Chicken Club Tacos were superb! 

Wrapped inside the tacos were grilled mesquite chicken breast, ancho-chile ranch dressing, diced tomatoes, mixed cheeses and lettuce served with chopped beef bacon and black beans.

Eating it left me wanting more. It came so juicy, the chicken was tender and it was a perfect burst of Tex-Mex flavour with every bite.

We also tried their new starter, the Spinach Queso.

Those tostada chips were warm and crisp, to be dipped into a spinach-cheese dip and house-made salsa. Just heavenly! 

So that's a wrap! Here's to hoping your weekend was just as eventful as mine. 

Have a good seven days ahead 

I'm going to leave you with a song that's been stuck in my head for as long as ever. Sharing is caring 

Much love,

Jessicat

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

The Sunday Times is a weekly series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to briefly highlight my recommendations for to-go and to-eat places!

Some photos were posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & my Mini LIVE Blog

Do follow to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around me!

Yes, as the title mentioned, I did something I didn't even expect myself to do!

What, go visit an abandoned Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine existing since the year 1865 (which I assume is now somewhat haunted), play with fire  there and almost detoured to a cemetery? Geez. Sometimes I shock myself silly.

—————-

BUT FIRST!

I just had to tell you something, especially to all the artsy-fartsy freaks and creative heads out there!

I spotted a campaign about Nescafe Chill Lah on ChurpChurp and….. *drumroll*

Nescafe is giving away 10,000 bucks to someone who best designs their Nescafe tin-can! 

On top of getting that mighty ten grand, the winner will get their design featured on limited edition Nescafe cans nationwide! Finally know how it's like to have your own design on a tin can that everyone across the country will drink from, ey? 

Pretty damn cool, if I say so myself. I'd be so proud! So get your creative juices flowing & submit your designs.

Check out their Facebook page here for more deets 

—————–

So it all began with an impromptu picnic trip my mates and I decided to make on a sunny afternoon

Roadtrip, babeh!

With the days and nights always being less than 10°C everyday, it was such a rare occurrence that we *actually* had full-blown sunshine! So excited. But it was still cold as ever, despite the sun!

Ranga quickly suggested a picnic trip and we were all hey ho, let's go! 

Clear blue skies ahead!

Geez it's so sunny!

And of all days, I forgot all about my sunglasses 🙁 Sigh!

Yes I'm trying hard not to squint.  >____<

Konzy took the easy way out; he shut his eyes instead! 😀

En route to Wallhalla!

How much further?

Our hungry tummies decided we stop by Bert Christensen Reserve in La Trobe City to eat.

If I recall correctly, t'was already 4pm at the time.

Lush green blanket of grass!

But no, we're not sitting on it.

We had KFC to-go, mashed potatoes, popcorn chicken, fries and coke

Yeah yeah, I know it wasn't what you would expect of a conventional picnic.

With the checked tablecloth to lay on the grass, woven baskets containing peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, apples, a jar of lemonade and homemade muffins. Oh and a pet dog.

So it wasn't like this

Nor was it like this

AND MOST CERTAINLY NOT LIKE THIS

Although we ate the same KFC Bucket 

So anyway! After eating, we continued our journey up to Walhalla's famous Gold Mine

We're driving along the top of the hill now!

At the end of this post, you'll see a night view taken from the exact same spot

.

.

.

.

Okay I changed my mind. What? I'm a woman; I'm entitled to change my mind.

 I couldn't wait. I'll show it to you now LOL 😛 😛

I shot this while we were on our way home after everything was over!

Okay, pause right there. Back on rewind.

Where was I?

Oh, right. In the car on the way to Walhalla.

Roadtrip was kinda long, so we all spent our time chatting and camwhoring 😀

And we had arrived our destination! It was pretty damn quiet; just as I expected.

It's an abandoned Gold Mine after all, standing as one of the richest mines in the early 19th century.

Although quiet, it wasn't deserted.

Whee! I went up there to check out the view

In the background : Walhalla Star Hotel

Quite a peaceful little town

There was a creek right below the bridge too

I turned around and Konzy was taking piccies of the stream

And he took a piccie of me too! 

We were all curious and began to explore Walhalla's grounds; reading about its history too.

Here's a tiny cottage bearing words from the Walhalla Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine management.

Read if you can. If not, don't bother squinting your eyes.

It's just some information on its tourism and slight bit of history.

Before we knew it, the sun had already set.

Spooky trees. Melikes.

 hoodies.

When it was dark, we all congregated by our cars and began talking a whole load of crap.

Oddly enough, we fooled around suggesting that we do something daring.

Such as visiting a graveyard or climbing over zinc barricades into the Gold Mine.

Har har har. Funny? Just you wait.

Little did I know that they *actually* meant what they said

T__________T

So off we went into the deep dark terrains of the abandoned mine.

I ain't no wuss or anything but seriously? Going to creepy places in the dead of the night? Geez! 

Don't remind me.

They even scared themselves silly! There was this inanimate mannequin placed right at the opening of those iron bars. The moment you flash your torchlight, that mannequin will flash before your eyes.

Yikes. Nasty, I'm lucky I wasn't the one who saw it lest I shit myself!!! 

BOOOOOOO YAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!! 

Hahhahhaa. Naw. That's not an apparition. It's an actual person 😛

It's Alex coming outta the mine because as far as they went inside, there were metal bars there.

AWWWWW. TOO BAD.

MIssion aborted.

But guess what we did instead???? 

Yup yup! Fire twirling 😀 😀 😀

I can proudly say I have did something beyond ordinary on my 22nd birthday.

Went to an abandoned Gold Mine, climbed into a restricted area and played pyromaniac for the night – fire twirling is fun (and dangerous!) I felt #likeaboss. 

The fire-twirling was all thanks to Mossy!

He's the fire-twirler among us.

I love his deft skills when he juggled and spun the flaming staff around effortlessly. Heck, he even took a gulp of petrol and fire-breathed into the air! Now, that's what I call wicked.

Me? Oh. Well. I'm no expert, I swear.

Just trollin' around & having fun 😀 Teehee.

Don't agitate me… or I'll set your house on fire.

 I be kidding!!

In the end, we finally climbed out from the forbidden zone and went back home.

And no, thankfully we did not end up going to the cemetary *wipes sweat* PHEWW!!!!!! 😛 😛

One of the most memorable birthday experiences, I daresay.

You only live once. So make sure you do the extreme 😉

Aight, I'm outta here! 

I must admit that when I first arrived in Melbourne, I had a pretty hard time adapting to the weather.

It was temperamental and yet excruciatingly cold when the sun sets!

They say its very likely to experience 4 seasons in ONE DAY. That's how unpredictable it is.

The sun shines brightly during the day but the cold wind is enough to give you chills anytime

And you call that Summer? Yeah, I arrived in mid February – when it was in the middle of Summer.

I'm sorry, if ya think Australian Summer this year is anything remotely close to any other day in Malaysia, you're terribly wrong.

You would never want to be caught dead outdoors in the early mornings

it's FREEEEEEZING!

As mentioned, it's not too bad during the day but being typical Malaysian, I'm so used to wearing very

little clothes that I actually forget about how cold it is outside

A random mini green pinecone we found.

Whose palm is that btw?

 I spend the days indoors with my housies in the West

And my mates from the house next door!

Always up for a drink or two!

As fun as it is in the West, I spend more of my time in South now

I'm glad to have made an awesome bunch of friends there. Love them much!

The route between West rez & South rez

Sunny days for the Summer, but it never gets anything close to 25 degrees celcius

Chilling by South 9's porch

At the uni lounge deck with some of my mates!

From L-R : Levan, Todd, Devin and Deanna

Without realizing it, the days of Summer are over and we are now in the midst of Autumn.

The leaves on the trees has turned yellow in preparation to fall

Bright yellow, vermilion orange and deep, scarlet reds beautifully scattered on the ground

Different trees shed their leaves at different times.

This tree, for example, was a tad late in joining the rest of his kind, but boasts a beautiful, burgundy hue.

Walking by this tree after classes, I can't help but to stop in my tracks

and admire Mother Nature's wonder

One morning, as the sunlight peeped through my window and in the near distance, I spotted a tree with bright red leaves.

Seeing that red is my favorite colour and the fact that I never once noticed this tree just outside my rez, I whipped out my camera and bolted through the door in my pyjamas.

Excuse the straight-out-of-bed face and hair!

I just had to take a picture with it immediately 😀

Here it is again. The rare, bright red ones standing out from the crowd.

Be inspired. I know I am.

As of now, it is nearing towards the end of Autumn and we are expecting Winter to arrive soon.

The days are even colder than before and the nights bring frost to the grass and mist to our mouths.

Every night hits below 5 degrees celcius and I spend all my time right in front of the heater now.

The roaring warmth helps to keep me from freezing my arse off.

Branches are left bare and empty for Winter

No wonder it's so cold. You can actually feel the chill in the air. I soon found out that it was already snowing at Bendigo, some 4 hours away.

I can't wait for my snowboarding, skiing and tobogganing trip up Mount Baw Baw with my mates in late June when the blanket of snow are inches and inches thick!

Here's to hoping it will snow in Melbourne city or Gippsland too! 😀

Not that I intend to freeze or frostbite myself to death, but simply because I've never seen snow before in my entire life!

My favorite designer brand has always been Burberry, for many, many years to date.

And I'm not afraid to say this, but I think Louis Vuittons are ugly. I mean, honestly? Dark boring brown monograms? Eww. I know it's an icon. But it doesn't change the fact that it's hideous! Even Chanel,  Prada and Gucci certainly look way better.

No offense, but I've always deemed LV as the bottom of the good-looking designer bag chain

But maybe this trash bag looks quite pretty 😛 😛

Don't hurl your LVs at me if you have one, it's too expensive and you might scratch it in the process.

Unless of course, they're imitation… you cheapskate. Har har har.

Anyway, I don't know what got into me but I went online shopping again. I don't usually (correction: never) shop for designer brands as obviously I don't earn that kind of moolah at only 21. 🙁 I only go for high street brands and  mass appeal brands as of now.

BUT. Something caught my eye 5 minutes ago and I knew instantly I was in love.

It's the Burberry Nova check hearts tote bag. And more importantly, in my fave color too.

Berry Red.

And yes I know it is 2010's Spring/Summer collection.

I may be almost a year late but its because I ain't as privileged to check out luxurious goods often enough to know the latest collections

You're one heck of a gorgeous tote bag.

You're reddish. You're Burberry. You have charms dangling down. You personify me.

More and more oggling over this bag of beauty got me a tad carried away.. even further!

I did even more research on Burberry's official website and I saw more and more models under this Nova Hearts series.

Nova Hearts Shoulder Bag

Lighting differs, so it may look darker hmm.

and here's how it looks like in real life too :

And here's the backside!

It would be the best thing, if it was ever mine

*bigwateryeyes*

QUESTION: Between the Tote Bag & the Shoulder Handbag above, which would you vote for?

As in, which do you think is nicer/more worth getting/suits me better?

*****

Anyway, as I was saying…

Nova Hearts Checkbook Wallet

Nova Hearts Bowling Bag

Nova Hearts Travel Bag

(Although I doubt this is a wise idea as rough aircraft boys might manhandle them)

Nova Hearts Canvas Luggage Bag

Nova Hearts Rainboots

haha this is crazy! 😀 😀 

Nova Hearts Wristlet

I know I might sound bitter upon saying this but I hate (read: am jealous of) rich kids. I mean, c'mon. We ALL know it's not your money, it's your parents'. And yes you're pretty damn lucky to be strutting around town in designer goods even way before you hit puberty or even started your 1st job.

Well, what can I say? Good for you, really.

I may not be as lucky as you unfortunately,

but I'm gonna buy them with my own cold hard cash.

Dear Burberry, please come up with a similar (or even better!) gorgeous collection in Berry Red again soon. Maybe in a few years time when I'm a financially comfortable working adult! I *may* not spend on luxurious goods often but I swear I will get you…

…at a time when I won't be left with only Jacobs and plain water for a month after the purchase
Just not now, it isn't my time yet 🙁

I even ranted on my Twitter timeline the moment I got so hooked onto it. Sigh. Those following me on Twitter would know this by now, as I have been raving about the bag for 2-3 days now.

Okay, chapter of fantasy over. Thanks for listening. It's back to my MNGs and Forever 21s for now. I'm still a happy girl sans my dream Burberry Nova Heart bag. Or perhaps I'm in denial. I'll never know 🙁

A girl can always (still) dream.