Most animated children in the world.

 Thank you so much to you guys for the super encouraging and positive response to my previous entry  sharing a little bit on entrepreneurship (*click*). I am already thinking what other things I would love to share with you all!

But that's not the point of today's entry. Today I am going to talk about Australia...

Because I will be going off to Sydney next week for Jing's graduation! :D Very excited about seeing Jing again, especially since we only saw each other for less than 2 weeks early this year. Now that she has started working, it will be increasingly difficult for us to see each other, so I am really going to treasure this trip!

And it got me started thinking.. I didn't share photos on Teeny's graduation! Heck, I didn't even blog about my own graduation. -_- Blogging about my own graduation is really pushing it, considering that it was X (*censored to protect my privacy WTF*) years ago, but we took some really cute photos at Teeny's graduation, so I am going to share them today to get me in the mood! :P


Sisterly love means adjusting your sister's mortarboard. Teeny looked so pretty that day!


My mom's sign-off on Teeny's graduation card HAHAHAHA. Sorry, you will only get this if you know Chinese.


Family photo! Don't know why I was sitting like a porn star wtf.

Btw, did you notice my brother isn't in the picture? He didn't join on the trip because my dad cheated him WTF. My dad told him that Melbourne is a REALLY ulu place, with only sheeps and cows and it's REALLY boring. My brother believed him and opted out of the trip. -__-

Then one day my brother was looking through my camera, and saw the photos we took during the trip. He pointed quizzically at a photo of Melbourne CBD and asked us where that is. We told him it's Melbourne. And he was stunned 'cause only then he realized he was cheated hahahaha.


Playing with different hair wtf.


Sisters forever! :D


Sealed with a kiss wtf.

Notice something with the photos below?




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My dad had the same pose in all the photos. -_____- I only have more of these photos of us in silly poses and him in the exact same pose. -________- Now you know where my brother got his 'kayu' (wooden) genes from.


Saw some people with unique graduation robes WTF.


With mommy! Who obviously couldn't take the cold. Look at how much more she was wearing compared to us, haha.


Threatening to give a congratulatory kiss to Teeny the whole day (I was wearing red lipstick), but was rejected repeatedly.


Another family photo that I like. :D

Sigh, looking at my curls in these old photoes (I had permed hair back then) makes me miss curled hair. I am toying with the idea of having shorter curled hair, but I know it's gonna make my hair SO dry. T_T

Again, observe my dad's pose....






Dad must be thinking FML how come my children are so animated and crappy. And noticed how his pose never changed. -___-

My outfit:

Dusk pink toga draped dress: Korea
Beaded silk headband: Alannah Hill
Black suede knot platform heels: Topshop

Next fun thing is deciding what to wear for Jing's graduation! :D


Typical scenario when we see shopping malls, haha.

April is going to be FABULOUS month, because there's Sydney next week, then my birthday, and then I will be off to Europe! Am going to be delirious with joy for most of next month wheeeeeee.

PS: AZORIAS is having FREE international shipping for this weekend for orders above RM350--> Shop now.

Butterfly dreams.

Sponsored post

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a cozy gathering by Kanebo Lunasol which involved a few bloggers, copious amounts of cupcakes , and LOADS of pretty colors.


With Shea and Bobo.


The sight of these pretty Spring colors made me go weak in the knees!


The butterflies are not just there for decoration’s sake—they are in fact the inspiration for Lunasol’s Spring make-up collection, Vivid Color Purification!

I, for one, am absolutely captivated by the idea of butterflies. In fact, for my high school prom (I was Decoration head), we had a Metamorphosis theme inspired by butterflies. There’s something about the fluttering colors that signify hope and vibrancy… In fact, my room is filled with butterfly decorations! For example, there is a giant butterfly perched right on top of my bed, much to my boyfriend’s chagrin , haha.

So you bet the Vivid Color Purification collection has definitely gotten my attention right from the start.


With pretty Bobo. I love how we both have statement necklaces on.

We were guided through a make-up demonstration, and invited to ask any questions we want. I was really intrigued by the idea of using make-up to ‘purify’ your soul (hence the name Vivid Color Purification), i.e. when a woman uses make-up to beautify herself, she is purified to feel confident and beautiful. And to think of it, that is SO true! I feel so much more empowered and uplifted when my make-up is perfect, hair is looking good, and I have a great outfit on—I literally feel beautiful from the inside. And isn’t that a type of purification? :) Just like how we girls splurge hundreds of dollars on the trendiest dresses, we should also invest on make-up, because it can transform not only the way you look, but the way you feel.

With this mind-blowing revelation, I really couldn’t wait to get my hands on some Vivid Color Purification products.


And I did! #successkid.jpg

I was so happy I brought out some of my happy Spring stuff, like this yellow AZORIAS lace tee (to match the yellow nailpolish!) and my new Jeffrey Campbell heels. My plan was to create a total new face wtf Spring look.

I started with a clean face with not a single ounce of make-up….


And this is why women wear make-up!! T___T

Never mind, never mind, the whole point of this is to show a transformation… *wipes tears and soldiers on wtf*

Lunasol believes that the foundation (no pun intended) to good make-up is the base of the skin, i.e. make-up base and foundation.

#1 Make-up base

Lunasol Smoothing Make-up Base (RM118), comes with SPF22-PA.


I have often been told that make-up base is THE most important step of making up because it creates the perfect base of your skin.


Just spread it evenly on your face in with a gentle massaging motion. I have tried a few brands’ make-up base before, and I will say that this is my favorite, for it is odorless and non-oily—very important traits for me because my skin can get quite oily.

After putting it on, I felt no difference wtf. Because it is very light and left no residue!

I am then ready for foundation.

#2 Foundation

Lunasol Skin Modeling Power Foundation (RM148), comes with SPF20-PA++ (compact and sponge sold separately).

I am usually a liquid foundation girl, so this powder foundation is something quite new to me. But I have nothing to worry about though, because it is a new formula that enables this powder foundation to emulate liquid/ cream foundation—achieving perfect adherence to the skin, leaving it translucent without becoming cakey at all.


You can choose to use your fingers or the sponge, but I learnt during the Lunasol launch that using a sponge creates a more refined finish, so I went with the sponge. It’s actually very simple to use (especially for you girls who are not used to powder foundations like me). Just pat it evenly and lightly all over your face.


For smaller areas such as under your eyes, you can fold the sponge in two to get better coverage.

After putting on the foundation, I was surprised to see that it looks (and feels) as if I was wearing liquid foundation! Due to its soft-focus lighting effect, a soft light seems to envelop the skin to smooth out visible pores and uneven surface, making my skin look quite soft and dewy. :)

After you are done with foundation, you can use a highlighter to bring out your features as well as cover dullness and eye-circles. I used some concealer on my under-eyes and to cover some acne scars and small blemishes.

#3 Eye-shadow

Lunasol Vivid Clear Eyes (RM185), comes in 5 colors.

I had the Khaki Beige collection on-hand, which is perfect for me, because I will be the first to admit that I am a rookie when it comes to eye shadows! Most eye shadows that I have tried end up making me feel clown-ish, so I have always been a little apprehensive towards eye shadows. But the make-up demonstration during the launch sort of built my confidence towards this eye shadow set, so I was quite excited to give it a go.

1) First, brighten your eyes with the highlight color (top left color). I used my fingertip and just dab it on the entire eyelid.

2) Then, apply the medium color (bottom left color) on the upper eyelid crease.


3)To add definition to the eyes, use the main color (top right colors) on the eyelid. Start blending! There’s a bit of free-styling involved here, ‘cause you just have to layer and blend till it looks acceptable to you—i.e. your eyes should have more depth and look more defined.

4)Using the same concept as eyeliner, you can draw a line along the length of your eye using the shade color (bottom right color).

One thing I really liked about the eye shadow colors is that the colors are really intense when layered (try rubbing your fingertips repeatedly on the palette, the color intensity really increases by a lot!). Also, one tip I learnt is to dab a bit of the highlight color under the eyes (2/3 of the way from the inner corner), and add a bit of the shade color about 1/3 way from the outer corner of the under-eye. I finished off my eyes with liquid eyeliner to add further definition, and a brush of mascara for my eyelashes.

#4 Lip color

Lunasol Full Glamor Liquid Lips, RM104, available in 5 colors.

You know how lipsticks offer high-intensity color but is so drying on the lips, whereas lipgloss makes the lips look so pretty and glossy but never lasts; and sometimes you just wish that you can combine both these products into one? Well, Lunasol heard you, and the Liquid Lips is born.


Combining the coloration of a lipstick with the luster of a lipgloss, this is kind of a merged product that gives us the best of both worlds!

I added on some blush to the apples of my cheeks, and tada, I am transformed!


Make-up really does wonders to a person’s confidence. *sniff*

With a bounce to my step now, I added a finishing touch to my look…

#5 Nail polish

Lunasol Nail Finish (RM56), comes in 5 limited colors.


What is Spring without some energetic colorful nails right? :P


Very very happy with the results! This is the first time I have tried an eye-shadow (with not much eyeliner) and actually liked the look! Somehow the resulting look is softer, but my eyes still look defined. :’)

So happy that I quickly changed into a yellow dress (to match my nail polish again, haha) for a total Spring look:

Purification… SUCCESS!



I hope you are inspired by these Lunasol products to look and feel pretty! A good face day is truly priceless. :)

And now you can be priceless too wtf. 'Cause my readers can redeem some samples to try out these products! Just print out the voucher and show it over the counter:


Try this make-up base, it's really very good!



For more information, go to Kanebo's website and like Kanebo on Facebook.

The sign.

Recently had an interview at the office, and this is what I wore:



There are actually a lot of restrictions when it comes to dressing for the camera (especially TV interviews :/). No white, no stripes, and nothing too revealing (i.e. no shorts or short skirts) are the basic requirements, and I usually get quite a headache thinking of what to wear! Super happy when I remembered this happy flirty AZORIAS dress which is SUPER flattering to wear 'cause you never know what (bad) angles you may be shot in. T_T And not to mention, happy colors puts me in the ZONE for interviews, haha. :D

Neon block-colored dress: AZORIAS
Pastel peach jewel necklace: Korea
Black suede pumps with tortoiseshell heels: Topshop



During the interview, I was asked this question, "what advise will you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?". I always feel a bit flustered when faced with questions like that, 'cause I myself am a new entrepreneur, and everyday is still a learning process for me. You will have to read the article when it comes out for my answer, but I thought of something that I forgot to mention as part of my reply. Y'see..

You can't do it for money.

After I started AZORIAS, I do get a number of people contacting me suddenly, asking me on advise and tips on start-ups and online businesses. Often, I do agree to such discussions/ meet-ups because there's a certain adrenaline in meeting like-minded people; entrepreneurial people, people who are out to rock the world. But sometimes, I get a bit taken aback because one of the very first questions that I get asked is-- "How much do you make in a month?". And frankly speaking, if you are doing it for 'how much you could make in a month', you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

Don't get me wrong, one of the reasons that entrepreneurs start-up their own thing is so that they can seek financial freedom. Being an employee often means limited income unless you successfully trump all your peers in the rat race.  But there has to be something more. There has to be a genuine passion, a genuine belief in the product or service that you are providing-- you really have to believe that you are serving something that the markets needs or wants, and you believe so deeply in it that it hurts, and you will do everything you can to make sure to serve that need or want.

When I started AZORIAS (and left my cushy job in Singapore), I took more than a 50% pay cut. Whilst I used to be able to buy and eat anything I want (with my SG salary which is pretty comfortable), nowadays I am a lot more cautious with my spending. There's nothing glamorous with what I do. In the beginning, I sit on the floor and sort through hundreds of products, looking for defects. I wrap clothing into tissue paper and lick stamps. I stand for hours steam-ironing pieces after pieces of delicate clothing. I lug around luggage bags of clothing to meet distributors. And guess what, I am still doing that today. When it's your own thing, you just get down and dirty with it. Some days, I look at my friends (especially those who are working in SG) who are buying their own properties and luxury cars, and I do wonder whether I would be better off pursuing a professional career. I won't deny that. But it's that burning belief, that flaming passion that keeps me going.

One day, when I was feeling down, I suddenly came across this referral link on my blog analytics-- linking right to this very old blog entry of mine. Now, this is pretty weird, as it was the top referring link of the day; out of the blue for no apparent reason. And very rarely I will get referral links from my own blog-- referral links are supposed to come from other blogs! But there it was, right at the top of my Nuffnang analytics page, and out of curiosity, I clicked it open and read it.

And there it was, the reminder I needed. At the very end of the blog post (this was written right before I went over to Singapore to work), I ended with this excerpt:

"
Last week, my mom and I finally got a set of black suit (blazer + skirt) for me. When I put it on, I nearly cried. It finally seemed real-- the forlorn girl staring back at me, clad in a boring black suit. Its implications not so much refer to what I am going to wear, but what I am in for. Sigh, don't want to talk too much about it. But oh well, guess a black suit is apt, considering the sombre, morbid affair work is. 
"

It's as if it's a sign from God. THIS is why I started AZORIAS. Because I remember how it felt on that very day when I put on my first work outfit. I felt sad and dreary, like I am one of many minions who don't have an identity. And I want AZORIAS to change that. Work outfits CAN express your personality and your own style. We CAN feel beautiful in work outfits. It was the perfect reminder, a gentle nudge to remind me why I am doing what I am doing now.

And I wouldn't change a thing.

Footnote: What do you guys think of blog posts like this which share a little bit on entrepreneurship? The boyfriend has been encouraging me to share more entrepreneur-centric material with you all, and I am keen too, 'cause obviously my business is a large part of my life. But part of me is afraid that you guys will find it boring, or find that it seems 'out' from my usual blog direction. Would love to hear your thoughts on this, because I really would love to share more about this part of my life with you all! :)

It's empowerment o'clock.

Wearing AZORIAS chiffon ribbon sweater and pleated skirt (sold out already).

Read an excerpt a really long time ago, and it really struck a chord with me and opened my eyes. Suddenly feel like sharing it with you guys today, but I forgot where I read it. -_- Thank god I have instincts like a bloodhound wtf, and I managed to find it! It's byJulien Smith, a motivational spaker (who is quite cute too WTF).

 Anyway, here it is:

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“You don’t know anyone at the party, so you don’t want to go. You don’t like cottage cheese, so you haven’t eaten it in years. This is your choice, of course, but don’t kid yourself: it’s also the flinch.

Your personality is not set in stone. You may think a morning coffee is the most enjoyable thing in the world, but it’s really just a habit. Thirty days without it, and you would be fine. You think you have a soul mate, but in fact you could have had any number of spouses. You would have evolved differently, but been just as happy.

You can change what you want about yourself at any time. You see yourself as someone who can’t write or play an instrument, who gives in to temptation or makes bad decisions, but that’s really not you. It’s not ingrained. It’s not your personality. Your personality is something else, something deeper than just preferences, and these details on the surface, you can change anytime you like.

If it is useful to do so, you must abandon your identity and start again. Sometimes, it’s the only way.

Set fire to your old self. It’s not needed here. It’s too busy shopping, gossiping about others, and watching days go by and asking why you haven’t gotten as far as you’d like. This old self will die and be forgotten by all but family, and replaced by someone who makes a difference.

Your new self is not like that. Your new self is the Great Chicago Fire—overwhelming, overpowering, and destroying everything that isn’t necessary. 

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 I don't know why, I just felt that these words are so powerful, and in certain ways, is like a slap in the face. It's true, we are NOT defined by our party habits or favorite foods. Think that you are too shy to do public speaking or to go up to that cute guy at the corner? Think that you HAVE to eat popcorn with movies? Think that you can't drive a manual car? Well, you think WRONG. Those are limited thinking-- you are limited by what you think! Sometimes we tell ourselves that we are a certain type of person, that we always act in a certain way... Maybe it's just a comfort zone after all. Maybe it's just easier to tell yourself that you do not wear skinnies, that you hate the color black, that you are too meek to be the life of a party. But by thinking that, you have already limited yourself.

These words have really moved me, and opened up my mind to how I see myself. Anytime I tell myself I can't, or I don't want to, I take a step back and really ask myself-- BUT WHY? BUT REALLY? It's just really empowering to think that we don't HAVE to be what we are now. You can be anything you want to!

And that's a fucking amazing empowering thought. :)

Anyway, I hope you guys are as motivated by these words as I am! Let me challenge you-- in the next month, think of something that is 'limiting'-- whether it's something you always thought you can't do, or something that is out of habit for you, and DO IT. Whether it's hitting the gym ('cause you always have "no time"), reading a non-fictional book ("I only read chick-lit"), cutting back one coffee a day ("but I NEED caffeine to function!"), or making the first move to talk to the new girl at the office ("I am too shy lar"), just do ONE thing. Share with me in the comment box what is the thing you want to change, and we will regroup next month to discuss this how we did okay? Haha.

As for me, the limiting habit that I will try to get rid of this week is-- to eat celery. I hate this vegetable (possibly my most hated food along with parsley), but if 30 days is all it takes to get rid of a habit, then, well, I am going to give it a shot.

Good luck to you and me! :)

Vivi Malaysia feature.

Have you grabbed this month's Vivi Malaysia? :)


Ayumi on the cover. I swear to god this woman NEVER ages.

Anyway, back to the magazine... I was asking 'cause I am featured in it! :D :D :D



Such an amazing honor! It's not the first time I have been featured in media for my blog, but it still gives me a HUGE rush of pleasure and, can I say this, pride. It's just amazing to think that I am able to gain a teeny-weeny bit of recognition because of  this little blog. And the best part is, I am rewarded simply by being myself! :D

Thank you SO much to all of you for following me through the years, and if you are a new reader, thank YOU too! Feeling sentimental now because I wouldn't be anywhere without any of you. And I am not PMS-ing, so these are all my TRUE thoughts! Hehe. Thank you thank you thank you, I love you all!