Hello Iza,


I'm one of your silent reader and i really adore the way you dressed up.. hehehe..Actually, i nak tahu u diet tak masa pregnant...u still take herbalife during pregnancy? Please tell me how do you maintain your body...FYI, im 2 month of pregnancy.. and i'm so scared kalau berat i naik melampau..kot2 i bole follow the way u eat so that berat i takde lah naik melampau..huhuhuhu..thank you sis..


Regards,
Harlina




Hi Harlina,


Congratulations on your pregnancy! :) You must be really excited, except maybe for the weight-gaining part.
Don't worry, I feel you! You're not alone... I'm gonna share what I've done so far and I hope it'd be helpful.


To be honest, when I first saw the 2 pink lines on the pregnancy test kit, the only thing that crossed my mind was "I am so gonna be FAT!". I wasn't concerned about labor, pregnancy sickness, abdominal pain or any other pains in pregnancy. But the thought of having to gain back all the weight that I managed to lose just a few months before, really bothered me. I was afraid I would turned into Norjuma during pregnancy!


But gaining weight is part of being pregnant (it took me quite a while to really acknowledge this bit of information). In fact, you are not supposed to go on any weight loss program, even for those who are over weight. Pregnancy is just not the time to lose weight! So I would really advise to those who want to lose weight, please do so before getting pregnant bcoz pregnancy is the time where you need to gain (quite a lot of) weight!


Now you do need to be careful of how much weight you gain during pregnancy. Too little or too much weight gain can be harmful to both you and your baby. So it's important to gain the right amount of weight to avoid pregnancy/labor complications. This table summarizes how much weight gain is recommended according to your pre-pregnancy weight:

Labels: Herbalife, Pregnancy

I can't remember our last visit to Pavilion before the day I had the Dior makeover, but it was definitely eons ago.


Hubby and I went in search of a place to have our dinner after the makeover when we saw a new food kiosk (or at least it was new to us) located at the Gourmet Emporium level - Kono Pizza. Now this isn't like any ordinary pizza; it's a cone-shaped pizza! And so bcoz of the uniqueness, we decided to give it a try.




There were a few pizza flavors to choose from - I had Chicken & Mushroom, hubby had Capriccio. We like it! Just like a Cornetto ice-cream, this coned pizza is stuffed with toppings (or shall I say, fillings) so you get to savor 'em with every bite. The best part is the bottom part of the cone where you get to sink your teeth into the ooey gooey cheese!


However since I am eating for two, one cone is so not enough (and it's consider as pricey for RM13ish a cone, which is like a slice of pizza?), so we headed to Subway to continue stuffing ourselves!


Next time, I'm gonna try their sweet topping pizza.

Labels: Food and Recipes

Now that I'm pregnant, I always have an issue when it comes to wearing baju kurung. I don't know, I think it makes me look like "sarung nangka". Tak suka!


Anyways, we were invited to Amrina's wedding at Dewan Perdana Felda yesterday. This time, I borrowed Hanis' baju kurung that she wore on my Nikah day. Lepas ni kalau ada wedding sape2 lagi, saya tak boleh pergi dah sebab dah kehabisan baju nak pinjam ;p


There were only a few pics being snapped bcoz I wasn't really in the mood for it - I was extremely worn out (had open house at my parents' a few hours before the wedding), plus I nearly cried and smeared my makeup bcoz I spent half an hour betulkan my tudung as it refused to cooperate, and bcoz of that we arrived really late! And not to mention, the "sarung nangka" thingy as well. Grrr... (It must be the hormones; lately I'm cranky and easily get irritated over teeny weeny stuff! And being called "Mak Buyung" is harsh and not flattering at all, so stop calling me that!!!)








To Amrina and hubby, congratulations!
May you have a happy, blissful life together.

Labels: Family/Friends

I just don't get it.


Guys (or at least my guy) can live a week without shampooing his hair. A week! :o
He thinks just by "watering" the hair is considered clean. I had to inspect and ask him over and over and over and overrr again... "Dah syampu ke belum?" or "Com, when was the last time you shampooed your hair?". Pastuuu ada hati nak tipu orang kata dah syampu. As if I wouldn't find out! Pastu bila rasa macam dah terkantoi he asked me back, "Eh... macam mana awak tengok jer bole tau ek?".


Goddd... Honey, it's not rocket science! *rolling eyes*


His usual excuse would be "terlupa".
So as a loving caring wife, I decided to stick a note on our closet the other night to remind him (he woke up at 5am to get ready for work; I'm still in dreamland).




Does it sound like a threat? Haha.
But he thinks it's cute tho. Hmmphh...


As he kissed me before leaving for work, I managed to asked him in the midst of mamai-ness...
"Syampu tak tadi...".


He giggled and said yes.


The note worked. I should do that more often - for shaving, having a hair cut, cleansing his face, potong kuku, and the list goes on.


That is after all, a part of the job as a wife, no?
He should be thankful to have me, bcoz I care ;p

Labels: Random Stuff

Ooookayy, here's a comparison of my before-and-during pregnancy makeover photo shoot:




Gosshhh... Look at the difference!
My body has totally went through considerable amount of changes! The only thing that seemed to remain unchanged in terms of shape and size is my face tho (thank God). I know I'm pregnant and everything, but I still can't quite get around with the whole "body getting big" thingy - even tho I've been pregnant for 8 months!


But that's what pregnancy does to you, so for once I am NOT gonna complain about it (even when I have less choices of clothing to wear)! ;p In fact, I love this Dior makeover photos more than the ones I had previously. Somehow I think the bump seems to make it more interesting than the rest.


I have approximately 7 weeks to enjoy the bump before it deflates! :)

Labels: Pregnancy

I don't know how many times have I watched this clip. The little girl is EXTREMELY adorable! I could listen to her all day longggg....







"Obie Kannobiee..."


"But don't talk back to Darth Vader, he'll getcha!!"

Labels: Random Stuff

One of the things that attract me to get a makeover is the participating makeup brand, especially if it's by Chanel, Stila, GA or Dior. Another thing would be the backdrop used for the photo shoot.


I can't remember how many makeover photo shoots I've had so far; must be about 10 of 'em. But this time it's considered as "extra special" bcoz I look physically different - I have a bump! :) And let me tell you this dear preggy mommies: Having a makeover is truly a great way to make you feel and look beautiful again. Trust me, you could use that as a morale booster and forget about being huge and heavy for once, especially if you're at the latter stages of pregnancy! It makes you feel good having a (big) bump to show off and pose in front of the camera. I would highly recommend it!


I haven't scanned the makeover photos yet tho, so let's have a look at some of behind-the-scene pictures. Unlike any other makeover photo shoot that only uses a piece of wall as the backdrop, the setting for Miss Dior Cherie Makeover is far more interesting as it depicts a room so feminine - with bouquets of flowers, sofas, a dressing table with Dior makeups, a glass-door cabinet filled with Dior perfumes and not to mention, the pink walls. It's almost like stepping inside one of my dream rooms...





With a purchase of either 50ml (RM218) or 100ml (RM308) of Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Bouquet perfume, you are entitled for a free makeover, hairdo, A4 and 5R photos, a sample size of Diorshow Iconic mascara, and a Miss Dior Cherie miniature perfume (for Parkson Elite members only. You'll get an extra miniature perfume if you purchase the 100ml).
Oh, and you get to be a Dior member too!




The smell of this perfume is oh-so-feminine, I love it!
But I wish it's an EDP tho...

Labels: Beauty/Skincare

(This is a 48-hour sticky post, scroll down for updates!)



Ladies, do you have a dream that you would like to fulfill, like maybe starting your own clothing line, or own a beauty spa, or be the first female rocket scientist - BUTTTT (there's a big but)... find it somewhat hard to achieve bcoz you're a bit short on cash?


Well, I have a great news for you.


Dutch Lady is having a contest called "Shine Project It Starts In Me". It's a contest to support you ladies to start making your dreams come true bcoz just as Shine's philosophy says... everything starts in you, whether you want it or not. The 3 Shine personalities - Moana Ishak, the pioneering commercial female Pilot; Salfarina, the top-ranked female Rock Climber; and Lee Hui Ling, a renowned New York-based painter - have had their own Shine's moments, so here's a chance for us to create our own Shine Moment aspirations based on their inspirational stories.


The Shine Project It Starts In Me is a 2-stage contest. You can enter the contest either as a participant, or as a voter. Yes, you voters can win some great prizes too! I will get to that exciting part later on, but first let me explain the details and stages of the contest.





STAGE 1:
1) Participants need to register at www.itstartsinme.com as a member.
2) Write a story in the most inspirational and unique way about your dreams. You can either write it in English or Malay. You also need to create a balloon based on your creativity using the tools provided.
3) Submit the entries (yes, you're allowed to submit more than 1 entry) at the Shine's website before 9th November 2008.
4) Then invite your friends to view and comment your page by sending them a personalized electronic direct-mailer.


To vote, just log on to the website, go to the Project It Starts In Me and click on the View Gallery. You can find my balloon with the name 'Iza' (and you can vote for me! :D).




STAGE 2:
1) The 10 shortlisted finalists will need to video their entry story via a 2-minute capsule (don't worry, Dutch Lady will provide all the video recording thingy).
2) All 10 video capsules will be uploaded at Shine's website for the public to vote, and voters who send in the most votes could win great prizes!
3) 3 Project Winners will be selected based on 50% votes and 50% judges' decisions.


And here comes the most exciting part - the prizes!


Winners will get...


(drum roll, please)


Shopping vouchers worth RM1000 every week for the whole month in December! But that's not just it - the Grand Winner at the end of the contest could win shopping vouchers worth RM5000!


Those are for the voters. What about the Project Winners?


Each Project Winner will get RM15,000 cash!!! That's loadssss of cash, and it could be a stepping-stone to fulfill my (and your) dreams!


Do you wanna know my secret little dream? *blushing*


I dream of having my own shoe line one day bcoz of my never-ending love for shoes. I dream to be the first Malaysian female shoe designer who is as famous as Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo. If Louboutin is famous for its red-soles, then my signature shoes would be famous for its pink-colored heel. Wouldn't that be cute? And yes, just as you guessed, I would name my shoe line: 'Pink Stilettos'.


But one of the things about starting your own shoe line is that it requires some capital to start. And of course I need to attend courses in shoe-designing first. That requires money too. This contest may be able to bring my dream closer to reality. It's an opportunity I wouldn't want to miss and neither should you!

Labels: Advertorials, Contests, Nuffnang

I don't know what is it about shoes, but I can't seemed to get enough of them.
I'm sure you ladies feel the same way too!


Recently (actually, it was last night), a chat friend of mine told me about the shoes at GoJane.com. I have never heard of the website, nor have I heard of the brand name but the shoes are fab! They look like Guess and Aldo shoes but at half the price (or even lesser)! Some are on sale, and there's even a pair of peep-toe slingbacks at only $9.99!!


Here are some that caught my eyes. Notice the first one (the black studded platform) looks like the Dior Gladiator Platform that Sarah Jessica Parker wore in the SATC movie!




Now here comes the best part.

My chat friend is gonna place her (and my) orders soon. If you're interested to purchase any of the shoes at GoJane.com as well, here's your chance!


Simply email your orders at spreesforyou@gmail.com and include these details:

Shoes: (the url/link to the shoes you want)
Color:
Size:


*Note: The sizing is the same as any American shoe brands like Guess and Nine West. For example, I'm a size 5 or 6 for shoes like Vincci and Eclipse; when it comes to US size, I'm a 6.5.


As of now, shipping cost could not be quoted yet as it is based on the total amount of purchases. But the more shoes, the lesser the shipping cost! Jadi, mari order beramai-ramai! Last order is on Friday (24th Oct).


Everyone's total price will be notified on Friday night. Payments need to be made on the same day, Saturday or Sunday to my friend.


Please also note that:
1) All orders are not exchangeable nor refundable.
2) We will not be held responsible for any loss or damages incurred during shipping.


Thank you!



**UPDATED**


Sorry, orders had to be closed earlier due to high demand, so no further orders will be accepted.

Labels: Shoes

BONUS!

Elite Day: Get 5% rebate + RM10 Elite points for every RM100 spent storewide + RM10 voucher for every RM100 spent at Cosmetic department of Parkson Pavilion/KLCC on the 24th October 2008. T&C apply.


I've been planning to get a makeover photo shoot in my last months of pregnancy (read: when bump is obviously showing), and here it is!


Let's see if hubby can make it on Friday after work.
Pweeety pleaseee...

Labels: Beauty/Skincare

Help a fellow Mommy...






Okay, I'm going to be honest here. Maternity clothes is one area that I haven't given much attention bcoz the number of maternity brands in Malaysia are pretty limited (and the fact that I can still wear normal clothes could be the number 1 reason why I don't really bother checking them out), so I do not know which brand to go for and where to get them (except online!). Perhaps you mommies can help out! I'm gonna give some ideas on what kind of work attire that suits most pregnant figure, and you mommies can give suggestions where to find similar ones, as those brands that I'm gonna mention here are *sigh* not available in Malaysia.


Being pregnant is all about being bigger than usual - bigger belly, bigger boobs, bigger this, bigger that... bigger everything! But that doesn't mean you have to give up looking good. The key is NOT to hide all of those under big frumpy sack-like clothes bcoz you do not want to look like a walking mountain!


So what can you do?
I'd say, flaunt 'em - especially your bump!


Since it's highly unlikely that most of us have pregnant bodies to-die-for like Angelina Jolie or Heidi Klum, it can be challenging to look for "pregnancy-friendly" clothes. I think the top two tops that would look best for most (if not all) types of pregnancy figure are the empire waist and wrap tops.


Empire waist tops:

I did mention about how empire waist tops are a heaven-sent in this entry. Basically, anything that is cinched right below the bust gives the illusion of a smaller waistline, even if you're pregnant. It accentuates your bump in a flattering way no matter how heavy or straight figured you are.






Wrap tops:

I love wrap tops! They skim your bumps and are adjustable to accommodate your body as your size changes. It's definitely a must-have item in every pregnant woman's wardrobe - enough said.




Having said that, I still can't find any nice wrap tops other than the knitted ones (like those from Topshop)! They are either too short for pregnant bellies, or short-sleeves. Anyone?





Pants:

If your hip is not your best feature, look for pants that is narrow at the thighs and slightly flared towards the bottom (boot-cut) to balance out your overall proportion, but nothing too wide-legged like masculine inspired look bcoz it would only make you look even wider. Go for something like these pants from Gap Maternity:




Black pants is another must-have items and can be a pregnant woman's best fashion friend! It goes with just about any tops of any styles and colors, so have at least two pairs.





Jackets/blazers:

The good news about jackets/blazers is that they are flattering for any types of body, and that includes us, the preggy ladies! The not-so-good news is that, they can be a little expensive especially the quality ones. It might not be a good idea to splurge on one if you're only going to wear it for a short while (during pregnancy, that is). If possible, opt for jackets/blazers with tie-closure instead of the usual buttons since they are adjustable, so you may be able to wear 'em even after pregnancy.


Here are some examples of chic maternity jackets with a little twist by Isabella Oliver which I love:

Labels: Fashion, Pregnancy

At 6 months pregnant:







And now at 32 weeks of pregnancy (that's about 8 months, isn't it?):

Labels: Pregnancy

Let's see...


Clothes:

• Long sleeve/short sleeve/sleeveless rompers
• Sleepsuits
• Socks
• Scratch mittens
• Hats
• Receiving blankets
• Barut
• Baby laundry detergent
  

Feeding:

• Breast pump
• Feeding bottles + teats
  
• Storage bottles
• Sterilizer
• Bottle & teat brush
• Bottle/food warmer
• Bib
• Burp cloths
• Bottle drying rack
• Pacifier
• Bottle cleanser
• Muslin squares
  

Bathing/Baby Care:

• Bath tub
• Baby shampoo/baby bath
• Baby lotion/oil
  
• Diaper rash cream
  
• Cotton buds
• Cotton balls
• Hooded towels
• Wash cloths
  
• Changing mat
• Baby wipes
  
• Top n tail bowl
  
• Brush & comb
• Nasal aspirator
• Baby nail clipper
• Thermometer
• Disposable diapers
• Minyak telon/Yuyi
  

Beddings:

• Baby cot
• Mattress (latex)
• Blankets
• Bedding sets
• Mosquito net for cot
  

Travel:

• Stroller
• Car seat
• Baby-on-board sticker
• Baby sling
• Diaper bag + travel changing mat
  
• Head support cushion for stroller

For Mommy:

• Disposable/washable breast pads
• Nursing bras
• Nipple cream
• Maternity pads
• Nipple shields
• Massage oil
• Warm socks
• Indoor slipper (I'm planning to get this fluffy slipper from Topshop. It's so snugly!)
• Nursing tops
• Disposable briefs

Is there anything else I need to get besides what's in the list? The ones in bold are the items that we haven't got yet.


Ohh, I have a question. What is the purpose of muslin squares? They look like napkins for diapering but it falls in the feeding category (if according to Mothercare checklist). I wasn't sure if I needed those so I didn't buy 'em. Are they essential?


And do I really need nipple shields?

Labels: Mommyhood and Baby

(NOTE: Lately, I received a few emails with added notes saying something like "please do not post this to your blog". Ok I think I need to clarify some things here. Those whose emails are published here are either as requested/suggested by the senders, or I would ask their permissions first before doing so. I do NOT simply publish people's emails in my blog so don't worry!)



Salam Iza,

The reason i'm writing to you is to seek for your advice...I know you're the right person since you have enormous knowlegde on shoes & handbags and of course fashion...you're like my fashion idol...hihihi...


Hello Tasya,


Wow, fashion idol? Seriously, I'm not up to that level yet. I do love to dress up and experiment with styles, but there are times when I look sloppy too. I still have those "what-was-I-thinking-wearing-that" moments, just like everyone else. But anyway, thank you; I feel honored! :)


Okay, let's get on to the subject.


High heels are one of fashionable items that will never go out of style. But as the saying goes, beauty is (sometimes) pain; being fashionable is not always comfortable, especially when it comes to.... yup, high heels!


Some women are intimidated by high heels and wondered how others are able to walk hours in them. The great news is, there is such thing as comfy high heels. Of course, a comfy high heel is not like a comfy pair of sneakers or flats, so the definition of comfy-ness may vary for each individual who are used to a certain type of footwear. Here are 5 tips of what to look for in a high heel based on my own experience:


1) Thicker heels are easier to walk in rather than narrow heels or stilettos, especially for those with heavy build bcoz it gives better weight distribution and stability. To prove that, now that I'm heavily pregnant, I can no longer wear stilettos comfortably like before, which is why I opt for thicker heels.


2) Avoid very pointy shoes (high heels or not), especially if you have chubby toes like me. Walking with your toes crammed in a pointy shoe can be very painful so look for open/square/round or at least peep toe shoes (which is actually my favorite).


3) Also, avoid back-less heels. Pumps, slingbacks or strappy heels are easier to walk in (especially when going down a staircase) bcoz they cling to your feet and add support to your ankles.






4) Platform heels are the best and the most comfortable to walk in! If you're not used to walk in high heels, look for shoes with platforms - the thicker, the better (ok maybe not too thick) - bcoz it will minimize the pressure between your heel and the front part of your foot. So let say if the heel of a shoe is 4 inches and the platform is 1 inch, you are actually walking in a 3-inch heel, rather than 4 inches!


5) Material of the shoes plays an important role as well. I find shoes that are made of satin are the comfiest bcoz the insides are usually soft and supple, like this Nine West peep-toes (which I got as a birthday present). It's one of the most comfortable high heels I have ever worn!




Besides that, cork heels are also comfy. They're lighter compared to any other heels so walking is a breeze! Here are some examples of cork heels: .













5) The most important tips to know whether a high heel is comfy or not is that it should feel good when you first put it on. Your feet will tell you straight away if there's any problem with the shoes. Don't believe a word when the sales girls tell you about the ability of the shoes to expand or whatnot; different feet responds differently to different shoes. If your feet are already uncomfortable when you first slip into a pair of shoes, how are you supposed to even walk in them? There are a lot of other shoes you can choose, but you only have a pair of feet so move on to the next shoes!


Now although I am a high-heel girl, I do not wear them every day. If you're constantly moving around on foot, you should take a break, change to lower-heeled shoes or wedges once in a while and give yourself a foot massage. Some foot/gel pads which are designed for high heels can be helpful to some (although I don't notice any difference wearing them and I find those pads quite troublesome actually).


As for brands... I can't quite say which brand of shoe is the comfiest. Those high-heel shoes that I'm most comfortable in do not come from a specific brand - some Nine West, Eclipse, Guess, H&M, Aldo and even Vincci high heels are comfy. Some are not. It all depends on the design and material, as stated above.

Labels: Shoes

(This is a 48-hour sticky post, scroll down for updates!)



Selalunya, perempuan mesti mengeluh setiap kali datang period. Simptom macam senggugut, sakit tulang belakang, pening kepala, bloated, gangguan emosi dan naik jerawat bukan saja merimaskan, tapi boleh menjejaskan aktiviti harian jugak.


Tapiiii nak buat macam mana, period tu kan fitrah semulajadi seorang perempuan. Ia tak sepatutnya menghalang kita dari menikmati kehidupan harian, terutamanya kalau pakai pad yang betul. Ia boleh dianggap sebagai 'sahabat karib' kita, melindungi di kala kita perlukannya.


Dari dulu lagi, saya hanya pakai Kotex dan tak pernah guna brand lain. Kalau guna pon sebab saya kehabisan stok dan terpaksa mintak kawan punya yang bukan brand Kotex. Tapi tak selesa macam pad Kotex. Kelebihan yang ada pada Kotex yang saya suka, bukan saja sebab dia datang dalam pelbagai jenis dan saiz, tapi sebab pek bungkusannya yang sangat comel kalau dibandingkan dengan brand pad yang lain.




Bukan tu jer, Kotex satu-satunya brand pad yang banyak anjurkan contest atau pertandingan dengan hadiah-hadiah yang menarik. Antaranya ialah "Shopping spree in Paris" dan pertandingan "Kotex Sisterhood Moments", yang hadiah utamanya merupakan wang tunai berjumlah RM20,000!



Sekarang ni Kotex ada anjurkan pertandingan "Makeover Diri Anda". Kalau korang menang, korang dapat join Kem Kotex 2008 kat Club Med Cherating Beach, dari 17 hingga 19 Disember 2008. Makan, minum dan tempat tinggal semua free! Paling penting, tempat dia best dan cantik.




Kat kem tu nanti korang bole kenali diri korang dengan lebih dalam, macam mana nak capai impian, motivasi diri, macam-macam lagi la. And then bole jumpa celebrities jugak - pelakon-pelakon dari Kisah Kaisara, kumpulan Ahli Fiqir dan jugak abang Angkasawan Negara yang handsome!




Kalau korang (atau sesiapa yang korang tahu) berminat, korang hanya perlu tulis esei pendek dalam satu perenggan jer tentang 'Satu perkara tentang anda yang ingin diperbaiki untuk mengecapi impian anda', tak lebih dari 150 patah perkataan. Itu jer, tak susah pon!


Pastu hantarkan esei korang, berserta borang penyertaan yang lengkap dan 2 polibeg luar pad Kotex sama ada Kotex Soft & Smooth yang warna biru, Kotex Dri-Comfort yang warna ungu atau Kotex Style warna ungu muda, kepada:


‘Kem Kotex 2008’,
PO Box 8615,
Pejabat Pos Kelana Jaya,
46793 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia.


Korang boleh hantar banyak mana borang penyertaan yang korang nak, dengan syarat setiap penyertaan mesti disertakan dengan esei dan 2 polibeg Kotex seperti yang telah dinyatakan. Borang penyertaan boleh difotostat atau download di:
http://www.kotex.com.my/kem2008/printPage2.asp.


Pertandingan ini hanya dibuka kepada perempuan yang berumur 13 hingga 21 tahun. Tertakluk pada terma dan syarat. For more info, korang boleh layari laman webnya di: http://www.kotex.com.my/kem2008/index.htm.


Tarikh tutup penyertaan ni ialah pada 31 Oktober 2008. Jom ramai-ramai join contest ni and enjoy di Club Med Cherating!

Labels: Advertorials, Contests, Nuffnang

Imagine this.


You are in a boutique/department store, doing some shopping. Whatever pieces that caught your eyes, you take it and place it in your shopping basket and continue hunting for more bcoz you're not done yet.


As you were browsing, suddenly without warning someone snatched something from your shopping basket, went to the cashier to pay for it and walked away with the stuff that could have been yours. (And it's the last piece!)


How would you feel?
Bengang kan!?


The same thing applies to online shopping.


Gap.com (or any online stores) should really implement a time limit system or something that allows customers to reserve the stuff in their Shopping Bags so that no one could steal any stuff from them before proceeding to checkout - even 24 hours would do.


I just "lost" two three stuff in my shopping bag while hunting for other stuff.
Bahhhhhhhhh!

Labels: Sales and Shopping

I have never ever purchased anything from Gap before I was pregnant. My first purchase was about two months ago and they were a few (pink) rompers from baby Gap. Then slowly one romper after another were being added. Nothing yet for me tho, until ....


... today.


A friend of mine asked whether I'm interested to purchase anything from Gap.com since she's ordering some stuff for herself and her nieces (how nice of her); of course I jumped at the chance!


I spent the WHOLE day scouring the website (and Old Navy and Banana Republic) for any good bargains, and I'm getting at least 10 stuff for both me and my little one. The prices are just too good to pass up! Here are some of the things that I'm getting.


Something chic for Mommy...





and something cute for Baby.




I can sense a lot of Gap shopping in the near future! ;p


p/s: Leen, cepat2 checkout k!

Labels: Sales and Shopping

So my motherly instinct was right - well, at least if according to the scan results.


Today we went to the hospital to have 3D/4D and detailed scans of our baby. It was one of the most exciting moments in our lives! Little one is sleeping at that time, so we can't really see the whole face coz dia tutup dgn tangan dia. The sonographer tried to wake little one by pressing the side of my belly gently a few times but that didn't work. I wish we could do the scans in the middle of the night bcoz that's the time when my little one is in action!


Here's one of the shots taken. I can't quite imagine how my little one looks like coz I think all babies look pretty much the same in the womb. But nevermind. I can't wait to meet you, little one!




After 4 scans (3 times 2D and 1 time 3D/4D) at 2 different places, the results show that my baby is gonna be................................ IZA JUNIOR, insyaAllah! ;)


Remember I once dreamt that I was pregnant, with a baby girl? Well, if you look back at the entry (here), it was on the 18th of March - that was around the time of my conception! I guess that dream was like a sign or something.


Anyway, to date my baby weighs 1.78kg. According to BabyCenter.com, at this time the baby's weight should be almost 3 pounds (that's about 1.35kg). Tertembam sikit la si comel kuu! Hee...

Labels: Pregnancy

Hi Iza,
I love this coat below, can I pull it off in our hot and humid weather?


Hope you can answer me in your pretty pink blog...
Oh, so glad you can help.. Thank you!

Azida




Hi Azida,


Dressing up for work can be tricky, especially for tudung-wearing ladies bcoz you don't want to lose your personal style and at the same time, you don't want to look like a fashion victim either! I've came up with some ideas and solutions for you, based on my personal taste and observations. I hope this would help! :)


The most important thing to consider when getting dressed for work is the image that you're presenting to others. No matter what your style is, looking professional and polished is crucial especially since you're working in a corporate environment.


Regarding your question about the first outfit, I personally think the ensemble is rather... shall I say, funky for office wear (like the studded belt for example. But I love that Oxford shoe! And I don't have a problem with the ring). Another thing, I'm not too sure about the dress + tights thingy, bcoz... honestly to me, they just don't look right for tudung-wearing ladies (office or not). I admit that I am not adventurous with some styles and clothing. In my humblest opinion, some clothes are better left for those who don't wear tudung - short skirts and dresses are some of them, especially if being teamed up with tights or pantyhose. I don't know, I just think it looks a bit weird and funny. I'd rather wear baju kurung every day than being seen in one!


Ok I know, some dresses are just too cute to pass up that you just have to have it.
So what do I normally do when that happens?


Alter it! Transform it into a tunic or a top or a shirt if you must (depending on the initial styles)!


So if you still insist on wearing that dress, my suggestion would be to turn it into a shirt by altering the lower part of the dress and make it look something like the lower part of this blouse from Topshop:




Or maybe with a little bit of creativity, you can ask your tailor to shorten the dress and alter the bottom part to look like the hemlines of these checked blazers (also from Topshop):




You can either wear a long sleeve t-shirt inside, or a simple cropped jacket worn over it. Team up the dress-turned-into-shirt with a black pants and the rest as you wanted (black tudung, shoes, ring) - and you're good to go!



Anyways, here are some ideas for work attires that not only speak professionalism, but also chic-ness.


Now the first thing that springs to my mind when it comes to work attire is the masculine inspired look. I love love loveee wide-leg trousers/pants! It's sexy in a sophisticated and classy way. Here are some examples of wide-leg trousers/pants that I like:





You can never go wrong wearing wide-leg trousers with a simple shirt or top, either tucked in or out. Just be sure to opt for a top that's a bit slimming as the trousers are already "big". Some wide-leg trousers/pants come with suspenders, and they are just as fab.





If you want to spice up a plain shirt, besides necklaces and belts, you can style it up with a waistcoat, (cropped) jacket or a vest.








Satin/silk/chiffon blouses or tops with ruffles, pleats, bows, puff sleeves, etc, work great with wide-leg trousers as well to add a bit of feminine touch.



As for shoes, go for Oxfords or pumps or flats. Ankle boots are fine bcoz they would look like a pair of Oxfords or pumps if paired with trousers or pants, but knee-length boot to the office is a BIG no-no!



Moving on to... the coat.


Now the blue coat is very nice. I like the bow detail especially. But I don't think it's a good idea to wear it in our hot weather, no matter how chic it looks. I'd save it for trips to cold-weathered places. Alternatively, you can wear tie-neck cardigans/sweaters like this one by Banana Republic:





Speaking of cardigans, they are one of the basic essentials in a wardrobe. I am currently loving long cardigans, or also known as Grandpa/boyfriend cardigans! Layer it with a shirt or a tank cami and finish off the look with a belt, and walla~



The end result is fah-buh-lous!


Remember, when in doubt, get back to the basic pieces and build your wardrobes from there.
Have fun dressing up! :)

Labels: Fashion