Sail Boho
So, it came and went. My birthday, that is. I wasn’t expecting any sort of surprise or party at all, maybe a simple wish would suffice, but the reality was non-existent, literally. However, it was a really nice gesture from the three people who wished me, and it means a lot to me.I wasn’t really bothered too much by the non-action because frankly, I had things to look forward to – the Airshow this weekend (did I tell you I’m ahuugeee aviation nerd?) and in two weeks, a chance to experience flying Air China (I’m an aviation nerd, if you didn’t catch it the first time) and yes, before I forget, my birthday week-long vacation in Tokyo!
Wait a minute. “Birthday week-long vacation”? Well, it was supposed to be, but working in the media industry, you kinda have to work your personal life around your professional life, so that’s that. It’s not ideal, but you cope with it, just like the sacrifices I’ve undertaken to be able to go overseas every three to four months since last year. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and instead of being unhappy about it, I work with it, because really, you never really know what life brings you. You know that Shanghai, and China even, wasn’t my first choice. You know staying in a hostel wasn’t by choice. But you know what? I’ve since grown to appreciate and even like China that I revisited it again when I went to Beijing three months later (Okay, I’ll admit it! I chose Beijing first and foremost because it’s the coldest major Northeast Asian city, happy now?). Going there, I learned that things were not as bad as what everybody was making China out to be. Make no mistake, it’s not first-world yet, so it’d be a gross mistake on one’s part to expect the same etiquette from their side. At the same time, to judge them based on that would not be right either as it is a changing country.
The biggest thing I learned from visiting China is that listening to songs of empowerment is useless if only you and your friends think you’re great. I am only important and relevant to the world if I can make something of myself – no time for grudges and mourning past loves, and seeking a life-long partner cannot be my sole purpose in my personal life. Dream, study that dream – dedicate yourself to that ideal, know the paths – and then, work your way to achieve it, no matter how impossible the way might seem.
Just before lunch, my colleagues surprised me with a cake, which I thought was totally unexpected , and by totally unexpected, I mean totally expected, which was nice. After that, Keidi, Chia Erhn and I headed down to The Orange Thimble at Tiong Bahru for the press preview of Club Monaco’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The collection, which looks like it was designed for Jessica Alba (no, not Jessica Alba the actress, but Jessica Alba, the person) is airy and light, and show heavy traces of the US West Coast vintage boho chic that goes on in that part of the world. Los Angeles-based fashion blogger Shea Marie would love it, except she wouldn’t since she’d probably tell you that you could find similar pieces for bargain prices in one of the flea markets across LA, but it’s sooo her. It’s easy on the eye, and amazingly effortless compared to Juicy Couture’s recent attempt at California style. Even with a mixed variety of styles, it’s still all comes across as feminine. But if you’re hoping for something a little sexy, look away.
While I do think the overall look and styling is neat, I was less impressed by the individual pieces which weren’t specifically inspiring, especially for the ridiculous prices Club Monaco is retailing these for in Singapore. I dislike vintage boho style in Singapore because girls here seem to equate that with Korean fashion, and dress like the cute but always sassy female lead from Korean dramas, presumably because they hope by doing that, they’ll meet their suave, handsome, hunky but ferociously chauvinistic male protagonist. There’s more to vintage boho chic than just what they see on Korean dramas, you know?
