Boss Orange Parrot Tee.

Hey y'all. Today is the last day of 2010. So what's your plan for the eve? Me? I'll be in Bukit Tinggi. Anyway, many months ago I bought this Boss Orange tee from M Store at The Gardens Mall (for RM225).This parrot tee inspired the Boss Orange team to launch a Design Contest in their fanpage, some time back in April.

The winner had been chosen by now, and his winning design will become a special edition of the official line for summer 2011. That's cool eh? I love the bronze/metallic gold print on this flying parrot. Kinda auspicious, I think.

Now, while I was in Langkawi, I couldn't help but to wear it in front of this eagle monument at Kuah jetty. According to one of the legends/references, the term Langkawi is a combination of two words Lang (a corrupt form of the Malay word 'helang' which means eagle) and Kawi (which means marble), hence this large monument. I know a parrot isn't an eagle, but they're still birds, right Darrlingg! Ok whatever.

Now back to the winner of this contest; his name is Esteban Lalama from Ecuador. Watch the video here, as he got to visit the Hugo Boss headquarters. Really cool, eh?



MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Langkawi Island.

Hey y'all. Last weekend (it was Christmas holidays), I decided to re-visit Langkawi Island. The last time I went there was 8 years ago, so I had a very vague idea how it was and pretty curious this time around. Langkawi is an island in Kedah state (the same state I was born in), about an hour by airplane from Kuala Lumpur. It's located on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, quite near to Thailand. Oh it's also accessible via ferries.

About to land. Yahoo!

 Welcome to Langkawi!

I rented a cute lil Malaysian car, called Kancil (mousedeer) for about RM70 a day from the airport counter. A car will help a lot to move my holiday butt around, especially on a large and relatively undeveloped island like this one.

Don't worry, my cellphone worked fine here.

I stayed at Kampung Tok Senik Resort, in a traditional wooden house perched on a hilly area (will blog about it separately soon, Darrlingg). Initially I wanted to stay at the Bon Ton but it was full (will blog about it separately soon, Darrlingg).

The first thing I did there was to take the infamous cable car ride to a mountain called Mat Cincang. The journey covered about 2.2km, and you're basically climbing in a 42-degree position. Scary, yes, but it was quite an amazing experience as you see the islands, the hills and everything else slowly getting smaller and further away. But before that, I had to queue for 2 hours just to get on that cable car. Oh well, it was all worth it.

The Oriental Village served as the entrance to the cable car.

 Up, up and away. Tourist pose, of course!

There's a narrow, suspended bridge on top of this mountain, which I regretted walking through the moment I stepped on it because it was so friggin' scary to me. Yes Darrlingg, I have vertigo. I have no problem being in a cable car, in fact I loved it, but elevated 700 meters all the way up there open-air, uh, uh..it's scarier than getting my credit card declined at Gucci. But now when I think again, I'm glad I did it (but not again, please).

Breathtaking views of the island, eh?

Cenang Beach was so different than what I remembered back then. It's thriving, almost like mini-Phuket where there were a lot of cafes, bistros, mid-range accommodation, and bazaars selling all kinds of stuff.
The beach has fine white sands, and the water was warm, clean, in shades of emerald-turquoise.

Sunset at Cenang beach.

Cenang street area at night.

My favourite (frugal mode on) food was fresh grilled seafood served at the hawker/stalls along the roadside.

On the way to Four Seasons Hotel for cocktails (will blog about it separately soon, Darrlingg), I passed through this beach area called Tanjung Rhu, where some fancy hotels are located at.I noticed the water was more blue and of course, it's much quieter here.

And of course, Langkawi (Kedah) is famous for rice-growing, so sometimes I would drive through green, sometimes golden paddy fields. Ubud, Bali much? I like.

Langkawi archipelago comprises 99 islands (each with its own mysteries and myths), so there are a lot of other smaller little islands scattered around, but sadly I didn't have enough time to visit. Soon, maybe?

Last minute shopping at the airport? Did I tell you that Langkawi is a duty-free island, Darrlingg?

Then an hour away, I was back at home in KL. I miss Langkawi already. Sob. sob.
More photos HERE, Darrlingg.

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Converse x Chuck Taylor x Roy Lichtenstein Sneakers

One of my favorite artists is Roy Lichtenstein, the American pop artist who was famous for his (society-parodying) paintings derived from the styles of advertising and comic books. I'm never a fan of comic books, but I admire his use of bold, primary colors and his messages (although he claimed his art didn't carry any message). The fact is even back then in the 60's, the way he painted his 'comic' to look digital/modern-age was already quite visionary in his own right.

Anyway, I know Converse has been using his prints on their shoes for a while, but I didn't get to buy any from KL. So on my recent frugal trip to Jakarta, I was so happy to come across this pair at one of the Converse outlets. It was heavily discounted at 70% (from RM186 to RM56!). Happy, Darrlingg. Honestly, I had no idea who Chuck Taylor was, until after some googling I realized he was a famous basketball player who popularized the Converse All Stars.

 I like the print on the inner sole.

Someone once asked me why I was always interested to know why certain things make an impression on us;  I didn't have the right answer right away. But now I have to thank Lichtenstein for giving me the answer. Seeing is believing.

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang.

Hey y'all! So right after Tanjong Jara, I flew straight to Penang, and headed to Georgetown, and then checked into Eastern & Oriental Hotel there. Established by the Sarkies brothers in 1884, this charming hotel is also fondly known as the E&O Hotel. I was invited by a fabulous reader of mine (surprise surprise, but the person wishes to remain anonymous), who wished to meet me there for some 'chit-chat'. Seriously. And I was checked into the Georgetown Suite (the room's name) with compliments. Yes it's exciting, but I can't tell you what it was all about. Yet.

Old world luxury, classic and worldly.. The moment I stepped into the lobby I was transported back to the past, where the rich and famous (not me!) would arrive here (with their LV trunk?) while globe-trotting. The essence of that 'worldly' feel can be seen through the Japanese, colonial furniture etc right up to the staff's (khakis) uniform.

The swimming pool, accessible through the gym (and you need your room key to open the gym door) to maintain privacy, I guess.

I was so excited to see my room. The suite was sectioned into a study, the bedroom and the dressing-bathroom. Oh there's a 'butler' button next to my bedside table (that my hand was so itchy to press just to see what happened... you know, but of course I didn't), How convenient, eh? Yeah right.

Love the vintage key. And the classic furnishing of course.

The study. Look at the switches!

The bathroom.

His and Hers, separate toiletries...and amenities. Very classic, eh?

I had my appointment at the 1885 restaurant, where we had a quiet, lovely high-tea. The ambiance and deco were so old-world opulent, it was like watching a grand old tv.

Delicious scones and desserts. Tea, Darrlingg??

When evening arrived.

Breakfast was fantastic, served in this huge hall called Sarkies Corner. I felt like I was at a ceremonial banquet. The fare was sumptuous, seriously... everything from pancakes to the Penang roti tissue were served.

As usual I took an amateur video here.

So I thought it was quite an interesting experience there, for a change. I hope you enjoyed my lil story, that's all, Darrlingg.

More photos HERE

E&O Website HERE

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Dis-Chromatic : Art exhibition.

Hey y'all. Do you like art galleries? Last night I accompanied my bff to her sister's visual art opening at this cool place called "Small Talk With The Moon". It's a bungalow in a residential area that has been converted into a temple for fine arts.

Her sister is an artist, you see. She has just graduated with her Fine Arts's degree and was chosen to exhibit her work with four other emerging artists. Now that's really cool, eh? I remember during my art foundation year, I dreaded the Fine Art drawing class because I really suck at it and I could barely make it to pass the subject. Yikes!! So I really respect people who can express themselves, especially through drawings. In this exhibition, there were a lot of mixed medium, charcoal, oil, line drawings and even collages.

The theme was dis-chromatic..it means minimal use of colour.

 Anisa Abdullah (a.k.a. Arab) proudly showing her art pieces.

 Some other artists' work.

 There's a little room where they sell memorabilia.

Wooden clogs, anyone?

Arab, my bff and me. We didn't plan to wear blue at all, you see!

So Darrlingg do drop by at Small Talk with The Moon, No 5, Jalan 12/15, Petaling Jaya, 46200 Selangor. The exhibition will be on until 8th Jan 2011.

For more INFO on the artists and their work, click HERE

For more PHOTOS of the exhibition, click HERE
 
MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

McQ Tee

Is having a big, ginormous logo printed across your chest a No No? Is it fashion? Or it's just pure snobbery? I know some people think it's annoying, tacky and flashy ; While others wear it just for fun, I mean..it's just a tee shirt after all.What about those who wear tees with all kind of (funny) lines and messages like "I'm a Diva, Just Did It, He's Not My Bf etc etc"..just because they're not associated with any fashion label in particular, they're less offensive/annoying/tacky? I do understand that some rely heavily on logos and names and think it's a ticket to 'elevate' their 'status' to the point it becomes really pretentious, which I think as a result, gives this whole huge-ass logo situation a bad name.

Anyway, I bought this tee a few weeks ago at McQ Starhill Gallery store. I saw (and tried) the tee a few months back, and nearly forgot all about it. Then the SA called me saying that their SALE had just started, and if I wanted to grab the tee that I tried (They remembered that!). So "YES", I said! The tee was reduced from RM700 by 70%, so it's hard not to want it. It's unisex, and I like the fact that the shoulder has no hem/joining. The piece has been cut in quite an interesting way, while the sleeves were rolled and stitched.

The store.

 The glossy, oversized paper bag.

 The tee.

The wannabe. Shot at Lone Pine Hotel, Penang. Topman shorts, Gucci shades, Marc Jacobs Special Item tote, Jil Sander sneakers.

Well personally, I have a love-hate relationship with this situation. I find it amusing if I pair it with let's say.. very discreet-looking designer shoes.I hate it when people think a logo is a ticket to be snobbish. In my case, my point is, Yes I know you think I'm tacky, but I'm lovin' my 'tackiness' after all, because to me it's never a status thingy, it's just a tee after all, Darrlingg!!

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?