DISCLAIMER: BRAVE YOURSELF as this is a long post. Cannot tahan, a bunch of stuff to yak on over the days. Word vomit. *giggles with right hand over lips. Ready?

WORD VOMIT PART ONE (Case of the 2nd Chance Baju Kurung)

The excitement is mounting already for Eid is drawing near and Ramadhan is coming to a close in a week. Mum is on full swing with the baking, cleaning and what-have-you to get set and ready for Raya around the corner. A friend of mine recently asked, "Yum, why are you so against people buying baju kurung from 2nd Chance? Busuk sangat ke brand Geylang tuu?" He refers to a line I wrote in my blog post a couple of weeks back which reads, '... bukan dari sales rack 2nd Chance'. *giggles. Not that I am a profligate person (or maybe I am a little, who isn't) but I do think I make sense for my stand.

Let's dice the issue of why I always say no to 'baju kurung 2nd Chance'. For starters, I use the brand metaphorically. Why that brand – it's the epitome of budget baju kurung. Everyone knows kalau nak baju kurung murah ada 2nd Chance. It's the matter of cheap pricing baju kurung and not hating the brand. Though there's nothing wrong with being on a budget in such uncertain economic times but I do not see the reason why people who ARE financially sufficient enough to get better choices pick that 20-odd dollar piece instead of purchasing a better tailored one. Hence, I bestow a fashion sin on them who go on to purchase the cheaply tagged baju kurung.

"Alaa Qayyum, baju kurung kan once a year aja pakai anyway" you say. Well isn't that all the more you need to be at the top of your game! That one stretch of festive activity you could be dolled in the best of attire. I don't want to be remembered throughout the next year as the one with a lousy beli-dari-pasar-malam-agaknya outfit when I could go looking like a crown prince. I sense that most people don't realise (or maybe they do but don't give a prickly darn) there's a myriad of differences between that of a SGD20 baju kurung and a SGD150+++ piece. *snaps fingers.


Let's start with the craftsmanship or as Malays call it 'kerja tangan'. Do not ever tell me you can go a million miles with the cheaply bought baju kurung compared to a higher costing one. The cost plays a role in determining how much is being put in to making the garment. Logically, the cheaper it is – the more boh chap/asal boleh the work put in. Hence, the quality of the sewing/stitching can be poorly done.

For whatever publicity reasons an ad might say they got cheap tailoring source which makes a low price – yeah, it's done by people that don't wear baju kurung (sewing by following a template given by the boss). Hence, they do not know how to appreciate the craft of making one and pay no attention to details. A good baju kurung is made by highly skilful hands, this contributes so much to its high price. Only a blind man cannot see the many imperfections the cheap outfit has. *points out. On second thought, a wise blind man can still touch the finished garment and still knowingly judge it's poorly constructed.

Secondly, price reflects on the type of fabric used to make the garment. This is a total giveaway to the price, so you deserve a tight slap if you want Italian lace for a price of low grade satin. Yes, even satin has grades. One thing to note about low grade fabrics (no matter the type) is that of (i) the texture, (ii) the effects upon wearing and (iii) its life longevity. (i) Texture: The fabric can be 'effortlessly' uncomfortable for the fabric is cheap. Hence, having not gone through the fine treatments of dyes and washes like higher grade fabrics' or maybe it's just so that the thread making up the cheap fabric is just prickly.

No joke, every single fabric has its grades and the perks come with the price. (ii) Effects: There are certain low quality fabrics that give off a generous amount of gladly unwanted odour when you perspire. No, I'm not referring to those with a problem with their bodily smells already present. But because it's of low-grade, the fabric, when come into contact with your sweat happily exudes a pungent fungi-infested woody/100 year old moth ball-ish scent. So unless you want to go on Hari Raya visits smelling like your last house was Senoko Incineration Plant upon entering the fourth house – go ahead with your cheap purchase. *raise right eyebrow.

The answer to point (iii) – 'life longevity' of the outfit definitely is easy. I say 4 machine washes/7 break dance moves/19 hours of non-stop wearing. After any one of those mentioned, do raise both arms with the outfit on. Aside from the odour I just mentioned, you'd tear off the sleeves in a snap of a finger. Say your thanks to all these letdowns upon wearing a low-grade fabric my dear.

Also note that while all the pricier baju kurung are 'handled with care' in the boutiques, look at how the SGD20 baju kurung (that as I type this is probably being discounted to SGD15) is thrown around like a piece of rag to wipe the kitchen counter-tops. Relate the treatment to the price. You be the judge. The seller can pose so much saying the quality of the construction is on par with boutiques but has the garment been handled with care? *smirks sinisterly. Certainly the garment itself is superbly 'cheap' to be handled with care in the first place right.

So to those of you Malay males out there, kalau dah MAMPU beli baju kurung lagi baik – PLEASE FOR YOUR CULTURE'S SAKE DO! Giving a bo chap attitude to celebrating Eid by wearing a cheapo baju kurung when you could obviously afford better just goes to show your reluctance to keep your culture alive. Yes, I have a strong attachment about the baju kurung. I feel proud wearing them for I am Malay. And by that I do mean the complete set with a 5 ½ inch songkok, a gold-threaded songket fabric kain samping and a pair of capal (read: leather slippers used to complete the traditional male Malay outfit).

I like the image of having worn the baju kurung during festive occasions/or at any given appropriate time; while out and about being seen in awe by other races seeing how the Malays still embrace their culture to high regard. So it irks me to fumes seeing people of my race not doing so. Kalau bukan orang Melayu; siapa lagi that wants to blossom the culture.

Then again for all it's worth the penny spent. Like they say 'alah membeli menang memakai' (meaning: buying a pricey quality-certified good brings better value than buying a cheap deal that ruins easily). All of that rolled up into my mind when I see teenagers going "Eh murah lah sini" and nonchalantly purchase the baju kurung like it's an everyday t-shirt. That is how I came up with the 'bukan dari sales rack 2nd Chance' line in rebuttal against all this.

And if you have to ask where I do my tailored baju kurung – it is down at M.Z. Tahir tailoring boutique in Wisma Yakin, Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur. I share the same tailor as Malaysia's popstar Anuar Zain and also a few of Singapore's Malay/Muslim Members of Parliament too! Good taste for perfection.






WORD VOMIT PART DEUX (Case of too short a dress for Malay TV)

Phew. Such a long explanation for just a simple/original metaphoric thought from me. *giggles. Well, now that we've cleared that, let's move on to something on the tube. Somehow a puny number of makcik-makcik that tuned in to the must-watched non-Ramadhan-themed drama on Suria, 'Gerimis Di Hati' got a little uneasy watching a scene with Nurul Aini in an LBD (read: little black dress) last week.

Okay, so barely after the show ended a particular twitter user tweet-ed to Nurul on how quoted "the epic short dress" was all about and even said "it wasn't nice" with a lingo-ed apology. Let us now dice the scenario here. WHY would she (Nurul Aini) dress like that? She plays a character Fairuzah that is your quintessential stuck-up/larger than life/lupa diri/uber westernized/career-driven Malay woman. So aptly to bring out the best of her role in every aspect, she dresses like one.

I have to say, that the word 'epic' used by that Twitter user is totally an overstatement. It's an LBD, not a black bikini. Personally I think that the dress was nothing too revealing for the average Malay audience in Singapore. This coming from someone that has certificate in Islamic Studies, thank you. It is one thing to be a Muslim and cover up but we're living in a society that accepts moderate boundaries of dress codes. As long as it is no breach in modesty – it's fine for TV.

And if you were to think back, what if Nurul Aini were to wear all covered up? I certainly think that her character in the series would not come across as vain and bitchy as it was supposed to be portrayed with the subdued costume fittings. Then the same makciks would complain, "Ehh acting si dia nii tak power lah." So I think it's logical enough that the case is baseless to be argued by these makciks. Nurul is just acting out her character holistically and I definitely think she pulls it off very well.

Sure these makciks would then claim, "Ahh baguslah galakkan. Hari ini pakai gitu, besok bogel pula." I'd say, makcik jangan melalut boleh? I am absolutely sure that the producers and cast members of the drama series would have brought up the issue if a particular wardrobe worn is too racy for the watching audience. No producers want to get banned from their own community's channel. Orang belakang tabir semua pun ada kelulusan. Bukan random Tom, Dick or Harry that doesn't know the regulations and censorships limited for a show on television. So think logically alright makcik semua! *rolls eyes.






WORD VOMIT PART THREE (Case of uncivilised Singaporean @ IKEA)

I bought The New Paper on Sunday yesterday and came across the article "Someone even used toilet bowl in showroom". You can read the article on the TNP website (click here). So anyway, I was so angered by the article seeing such disgraceful behaviour of Singaporeans. It led me to write a feedback to TNP and send the email to them! Here's what I sent:

At first after taking a glance at the snapshots on the article "Someone even used toilet bowl in showroom" on Sunday's (13th September 2009) print edition of TNP, I thought the article was about a foreign country. I am VERY appalled to note its Singaporeans! To be frank, I am very ashamed that there are such Singaporeans who take the liberty to misuse the advantages given by the policy in IKEA as their ‘own' personal space. To me, the right given of the visitors in IKEA has been ETHICALLY breached.

Quoted from the article itself noting that the shoppers in China visited IKEA "just to take advantage of the freebies" – why on earth would our fellow Singaporeans WANT to be on par with values that seemed so deviant to modern civilised society? The way to go is growing to be more civilised but the article just shows otherwise.

I would never want to see some random adult blatantly sleeping on a display sofa bed when I am trying to scout around the IKEA showroom to ACTUALLY buy one. Reason being, I think the purpose of IKEA's policy is for consumers to try out the product to see if the ergonomics work for them and their home environment. NOT to let families make it their makeshift indoor theme park.

How would foreigners that view Singapore as a well developed community (in civic and morals) react when they see such acts? We are supposed to more forward and be reflective of our nation's recognition in the eyes of the world, but this is just making it look like despite all the best airport/airline in the world we have, our own people have low IQs.

I am deeply mortified. More so that the articled even interviewed a parent that quote "my children only have one bedroom set. It becomes their playground". It is one thing to be already committing such an unsightly social act of deviance but to actually openly express it out is like advocating git is the way to go. It's like having to call all Singaporean parents that have only one bedroom for their children to go there and make the place look like an aftermath of wasted Hollywood parties.

IKEA's concept should be cherished as it brings the consumer the full right to be confident on their buy. I think these Singaporeans ought to be ashamed of themselves for misusing the place and breaching their ethical rights. IT IS NOT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAYGROUND! IT IS A GOD FORSAKEN HOME FURNINSHING STORE! Knowing that, parents should never give their children the impression that since you can touch the displays, you can make a mess out of it. How indifferent is that to unruly/uncivilised behaviour?

I think it is not about having IKEA to change their concept as the concept itself is of positive values but the digression it has made by fellow local shoppers just make it a plain ugly sight to see when the REAL shopper are looking around for the perfect home furnishing. The MISUSE of freedom to touch and use the concept home displays. Why can't these Singaporeans be civilised?

I think we should all respect (a) the place, (b) what is for and (c) who it is for. It is not for parents that want to dump their children for an hour while their get time-out with their significant other, it is not for uncles to take post-lunch naps barefooted, and it is definitely not for poorly mannered children to rampage through the displays like it is their own messy room at home! What is it with these shameless Singaporeans? There should probably be a freaking huge gigantic poster outside IKEA that reads, "SURE you can try the displays, BUT THE PUBLIC IS WATCHING" – just to get it permanent in their brain.

I hope the giant poster somehow becomes true and all these uncivilized Singaporeans get a smack on their face. If they're still oblivious to it, they ought to kill themselves for being so classless in a modern Singaporean society.






WORD VOMIT PART FOUR (Case of uber rude CONYEH VEST)

Another person that ought to kill himself by choking on a balled up barb wire is KANYE WEST. Could someone big like Clive Davis or whoever in the music industry headline a boycott against this rude mofo. He practically stole Taylor Swift's air time and more importantly crowning moment of winning her 2009 Video Music Awards for Best Female Video. I watched the live telecast earlier today via the web and everything was fab except this fellow's interruption.



Beyoncé wasn't even fumed about losing the category (because obviously she knows better how to react to it) then this chap who isn't even involved in the category in whatever ways possible stole the thunder to give his worthless comment. Gosh, Kanye West is such an attention seeking low life. You're not even in the 'BEST FEMALE VIDEO' category and yet you are unsatisfied with the verdict of choice?


Consider the number of times he went all whacked up (read: going all cussing over Britney's win at last year's VMAs), he should be banned from any live award shows. Please, it takes so much to be talented but more to be respected! Such a disgrace to the world of music. *snaps fingers.

Poor Taylor was left speechless in front of thousands in the hall while they booed Kanye off stage. I'll be supportive if the plenty of stars in the front row just came up to beat the life out of him at that moment because he totally was an ass.

So much so that he could publish and apology that seem so very insincere on his blog (click here) moments after from his stinking mouth. Going all, "I'm sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom" and praising her music "I like the lyrics about being a cheerleader and she's in the bleachers". Say what? Rot in hell Kanye West.



Thank god Beyoncé was such a class act. She deserved another moonman for the category, "Kanye god damn shut the f^%k up". Miss B accepted her award for Video of the Year and withdrew her airtime to make up for Taylor's speech.


Now that is one sweet dignified woman. She feels for Taylor because she knew the amazing feeling of being so young and winning a VMA moonman. I never HATE afro American artistes as I think they're really gifted in their art form but kind of lost respect for this poor son (oh and that includes you too Chris Brown). And by the way, my idol Brit Brit won Best Pop Video for the 2nd year running! Womanizerrr baby.






RAHHH! I've so much anger in me these past few days. Hormonal much? Okay, so I've been to COMEX fair at Suntec over on Saturday and I've bought myself a brand new camera! YAY YAY HORRAY! It's a Sony Cybershot DSC-T90 for SGD499 in pretty PINK! Thank you to my sister! I feel so happy with my buy. It's an upgrade from my Samsung NV10. More megapixels (from 10.1 to 12.1), from sensor buttons to touch screen and the new camera is able to record 720p HD clips! How awesome! Oh, and it's super slim too – compact for clubbing! *giggles coyly.

After which we headed to the other sales within the convention center itself. There was the Jean Perry bed linen sale where we bought 'Memory Pillows' at a discount. Good buy I must say, it cost 99 bucks per pillow originally! Then there was the Marc Jacobs/DKNY watch sale and the Umbro apparel sale too. By the end of the day, we were so tired and slept the journey home in the cab (worth 30 bucks thanks to the peak hour jam).

The following day was spent as a resident stylist to my mum and two sisters finding stilettos for them to be worn for Raya. I'm not sparing them an inch, made them wear the highest heels so far. Loving it, cause its fierce! Got my sister Dewi to buy a black pair with red soles! So you can guess the label now (clue: C L). *giggles and raise right eyebrow. Here's a googled picture of the heels.


It is that high, for all three of them. I gotta say I ♥ the pair of heels I got for my little sister. Okay, I won't post the pictures of all three pairs of heels and a whole lot more now but sooooooon. Probably on Hari Raya's eve, got to keep the surprise! Till then, toodles ya'll. Keep it real & DOPE. Hotness!


p.s. I ♥ Kelly Clarkson's blog post on bodoh Conyeh Vest. Click on to read. (click here)

Labels: 2nd Chance, Baju Kurung, Comex, Gerimis Di Hati, Kanye West, MTV VMA 2009, Nurul Aini, Raya Preparations, Shopping Splurge, Stupid Singaporeans

I've been religiously following the current hit drama series Nur Kasih since the first episode. And everyone else who either has TV3 or Sensasi on cable would have watched it too. My favourite character is Siti Sarah (played by Umi Nazeera), the younger sister of main protagonist Nur Aminah. I have a tendency to like antagonistic roles because they're so in-your-face-you-want-to-give-them-a-tight-slap, their acting definitely work!


The series also apparently made the avid female watchers go KEEERAYYYZZEEE over the character of Adam. Without a doubt, somehow the portrayal of Adam's character is played by a hot not-your-typical-mat-Malaysia-looking guy. Remy Ishak is his name.

Adam's character has the bad-boy-gone-good plot. So tell me, who wouldn't go ga-ga over bad boys right? Bad boys over boring goody two shoes anytime! *chuckles. Interesting fact is, as I watched the series I can't help remembering seeing the same chap once portraying a gay character. Yes, surprise girls! A character (or rather a movie) so poles apart from the very religiously intertwined drama Nur Kasih.

My mum went ballistic when I said, “Mak, si Remy nii dulu main watak gay tau. Peluk-peluk tengah mandi!” and mum replied “Ehh, sayangnya kalau dah handsome gini. Tapi ada ramai lelaki handsome gila yang gay.” Yes, no kidding. My mum at her age and priorities noticed that gays these days are hotter than ever. *laughs.

Okay, for the benefit of them girls that still doesn't know (and a tad pissed with this piece of information) about the gender-bending orientation character ‘Danial' Remy played – it's a short film titled Comolot by Amy Ikram Ismail. I've watched it a year prior to the Nur Kasih craze and I have to say his portrayal is quite a looker, being Asian and all. The title is a Malaysian street slang for ‘cium mulut' or lip-lock kiss.


The film was on limited release about 2 years back. It portrays the clandestine sexual relationship between two men of which one is about to get married to a woman. It's possibly the first (and I'd say ever) Malaysian film to have such a controversial theme. True to its theme, it brought so much drama to the opinionated public.

Do note that (before all you strict-following-devout-24/7-@-the-mosque-men come forth to blast me), I am in no position of promoting the gay lifestyle but my view is it was what he grew to be. If one went through life to be that way, so he'll be. The least we'd do is be inclusive in a secular society (i.e. workplace, public places, etc.). Men with a different orientation are present and we know it well to live with it. Muslim or not, it's his mind at peace with himself, his life not yours.

Thing is, I won't be surprised if he's a gay magnet (without any say on his orientation) after that film went out. I mean, I have several straight male friends with ZERO gay tendencies but hopelessly fall into the hunk-you-ought-to-ogle-at category under the GAY101 guide book for they are ridiculously hot looking physically or just splendidly charismatic (or better still, BOTH)! I have to say, if a guy could make girls go head over heels is one thing, but if he gets winks from both sexes – now that's unparalleled attractiveness mind you.

So there you go, gotta love versatile actors don't you think. Bravo to Remy Ishak, you deserve some form of award. *three claps. Okay, away from mind boggling issues, mum is now in her buat-kuih mode so we (read: her husband and children) are not to piss her off at any given time during her baking sessions. Pfft, diva much? *giggles hysterics. Well, I think her OCD for concentration pays off every year with nice tasting kuih-muih for Raya!

I have yet to get myself those Aladdin shoes! RAHHH! Where oh where could I get those dream pair of footwear?! By the way, I know I'm such a lagger consumer but I just bought a pair of crocs. Nyeh! Yes, I bought a pair of chocolate Crocs™ Tideline Canvas.


Thank you mum dearest! I bought it because she said, “Nak beli crocs, nah kasi abang duit. (hands cash to little sister)” Mum is full of luring invitations when it comes to shopping. *giggles coyly. I'm now waiting for the Orchard Road shopping spree before Raya. WHEE x86721345609!!!

So many things on my shopping wish list. Oh before I forget, for those who missed previous episodes of Nur Kasih - watch it on TV3.com.my Catch Up TV feature, register for free and you're done! Till then, toodles ya'll. Keep it real & DOPE. Hotness!


p.s. I have the urge to change my blog layout altogether, in the spirit of Raya! *chuckles. Should I, should I not?

Labels: Controversy, Nur Kasih, Raya Preparations, Shopping Splurge, Shopping Wishlist

Back from a weekend of debauchery networking which is boring to blog about. So, I just watched Dato' Siti Nurhaliza's SATU concert performed at Istana Budaya (IB) 3 months back, on my notebook. Okay, I know the gig dah basi pun as there's a ton of reviews out already but I shall say mine now! *flicks non existant long hair. The recorded concert was of day 2 out of the 3 night stint. I have to say it was a digression from her usual show of punching falsettos.

It was in support of her latest album Lentera Timur. But what's different was the concept of the entire production. It was a colossal theatrical concert – much inspired by the residencies' of Ceasars Palace in Vegas (read: Celine Dion's A New Day... and Cher's Cher at the Colosseum), down the smoke machines that kept the stage, well, smoky.

I pressed the play button in hopes of reliving the moments I watched her live during her 2005 gig in the Singapore Indoor Stadium when she brought her ‘Royal Albert Hall, London' concert here (mind you I was so close to the stage thanks to complimentary tickets by Kak Juriah @ Mediacorp Studios). But the show was different. Her usual gigs were pure audible feats, banging musical arrangements by the band/orchestras.


The musical arrangement was different for this; to fit the sequences of imagery from the sole giant framed screen as the backdrop – a multi sensory feel it was trying to sell. Her performance throughout was tied with creating tableaus with her 25 dancers. Hence, it wasn't the vocal gymnastics (as like her former concerts) that was the main draw. She was venturing into staging a showpiece, literally.

I have to give her the salute though for being a pioneer doing a show like that by a Malay artiste. The use of IB's multi-level stage platform that rises and descends makes the production look stellar & worth the watch. But the choreography needed urgent tweaking as it wasn't impactful if not at all very clichéd in accordance to the music.

Though I have to note it's a first for her and her team. Far a beginner from Celine Dion's production with a helping hand from Franco Dragone (known for his work with Cirque du Soleil). I guess it must take time to grow on me as I still can't say I love it, somehow.

Her Diari Hati concert at the Esplanade theatre last year was still a powerhouse (despite modest stage props) thanks to her rendition of Beyoncé's Flaws & All and the very supporting Singaporean audience. *points to self & winks left eye. Either way, I still miss her high strung performances. Albeit all the new concepts – one thing left unchanged was her gorgeous outfit changes.


This concert has got to be the best in terms of wardrobe ranging from super sleek French laces and chiffon to the superbly fantabuloumazing red kimono with a (what seems to be an endless) train. One of her segments features her in a black Jackson-inspired jacket, coupled with the stage filled with dancers – it felt like watching Janet's Rhythm Nation.


The show was great overall with a few shaky-odd-dull transitions. Not my personal favourite to date (I still like her Royal Albert Hall gig x9284756310), guess I still like the ‘good old concert line-up' with power ballads. Well it's was sure a good 2 hours of Siti mania! Brava to Dato' Siti.

Moving on to Datin Dato' Datuk Qayyum. *giggles coyly. Well nothing much to say except for my much mundane days of lazing around. My sister is excited for COMEX (which I am still in denial whether to buy a new digital camera or not). And mum wants to go shopping at town – I say Takashimaya/ION/DFS which gives me a self-given right to get a piece of the shopping spree pie. *evil laugh. I have an itch to get a new wallet, maybe Gucci. Till then, toodles ya'll. Keep it real & DOPE. Hotness!


p.s. You can watch the concert on YouTube too! (click here) Photo credits to Visual Lights & Airswift.

Labels: Comex, Shopping Wishlist, Siti Nurhaliza