Style: A Zen Noir

Okay, the Monday’s moodiness got me this time.
But maybe that’s because I work up at 8.45am after 5 hours of sleep and working without stop till now – it’s almost 11pm. But its the part of the day where I enjoy most, styling for you :)  And for this week, I’ll be running primarily on a Japanese-designed theme.
(Thank YOU Mari, baci!)

Japan was my childhood playground. Due to the fact that my family ran a shipping business which had its principal office in Osaka, thus the frequent trips back and forth regardless of school schedule. As a child, I experience growing up very differently from most of my schoolmates – enjoying the company of adults, being pampered by their wives, adoring the quaint villages and farms, having fun at Disneyland and novel amusement parks, enamored by Takarazuka Revue performances, eating fresh strawberries by the crates, the cherry blossoms, the deer parks, the memory list goes on. I miss Japan terribly, and ache for the abandoned Fukushima animals < please click here to do your bit with your voice

*Back to reality*

Today, I’ll be featuring Yohji Yamamato because his clothes resonates my mood now. Feeling the want of being protected from the world’s prying eyes – strong yet soft, simple but with depth, masculine but exuding out the rawness of femininity.


“When I started making clothes for my line Y’s in 1977, all I wanted was for women to wear men’s clothes. I jumped on the idea of designing coats for women. It meant something to me – the idea of a coat guarding and hiding a woman’s body. For me, a woman who is absorbed in her work, who does not care about gaining one’s favor, strong yet subtle at the same time, is essentially more seductive. The more she hides and abandons her femininity, the more it emerges from the very heart of her existence. A pair of brilliantly cut cotton trousers can be more beautiful than a gorgeous silk gown.” Yohji Yamamoto – extract from The Limelight

Let the zen noir speak for herself with a soul-wrenching piece by famous cellist/composer, one of our favorites, Hajime Mizoguchi ( 溝口肇 ) – was very hard to find a video of his to embed, so I hope you all will enjoy it. Watch for his kitty at the of the video ~ XO JR

Long sleeveless wool top, Yohji Yamamoto, $680

Silver beaded ring band, JeannieRichard, $25


Tuck Sarousel Pant, Yohiji Yamamoto Y’s line, $570

Silver black color block studs, JeannieRichard, $30


Soft twill bag, Yohji Yamamoto, $810


Monk strap boots, Yohji Yamamoto, $1,530

Style: Today I am a Painter

Onward with the “White Shirt” series, what shall we be for Wednesday?
I always feel Wednesday is THE day that one can tone down and relax a little with the atmosphere. Allocate tasks to the others, expand yourself through others – work smart!

So how can the white shirt look smart yet relaxed?
I found this painter shirt by Elizabeth and James very nicely cut and the textile falls nicely on the body to create a lovely form – not too baggy, great for movement and one doesn’t need to worry about ‘pop goes the weasel’ after a hearty lunch!
I also love it for its thick cuffs and signature painter batwings – great for any body type ;)

Am going with purple palette for tomorrow – soothing to the eye, yet still vibrant and exciting to the senses. What do you think?

XO JR ❤

Painter Shirt by Elizabeth and James, $87

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For the working lady, slip on a sleek and sophisticated dress underneath. And come evening, simply remove the painter shirt to enjoy an evening of wine and dine – I love this fitted jersey dress by Halston Heritage, $137 for its front pockets, it further enhances the “creative painter” at work look ;)

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For the student girl, jump into a pair of purple shorts by Bailey, $35 and for decency in respect of school attire code (if any), drive your girlfriends in to envy with these ombré tights by BZR, $50!

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Trendy but sporting a design aesthetic to last through the ages, the Color Block Studs with are a feminine, flirty update on the everyday signature earring  – an absolute must-have in every girl’s wardrobe! Put your rhinestones away and pop on these beaded beauties instead! Seen here in nougat and purple by JeannieRichard, $30 (now on 25% sale till May 31)

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For the working lady, a happy and cute Folli Follie Happy Nugget Purple Hobo Bag, $140

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For the student girl, a Callie Straw bag from Banana Republic, $70

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Simplicity speaks volumes.
You may find yourself gesticulating a bit more frequently when wearing JeannieRichards’ classic beaded ring band. Thanks to its iridescent purple glass beadwork, this bauble glistens with every (calculated) wave of your hand – makes for an understated classic ring band. Seen here in purple, $23 (now on 25% sale till May 31)

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For the ring-obsessed, make a statement and adorn your hand with this beautiful translucent purple anemone cluster ring band by JeannieRichard, $35 (now on 25% sale till May 31)

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For working lady, balance out the color palette with complimenting nude boots from Romwe, $193

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For the student girl,  a pair of black suede boots for the “gung-ho” look from Red Tape, $25 and bearing in mind, the not so spring weather yet.

Style: Revving Up the momentum

I’ve noticed its been quite a moody Monday for most people I see out there, a psychological Monday blues thing or is it just too much partying over the weekend? ;)

I do hope you lovelies reading this will have a good Monday or had a good Monday start to the week :D

I did not get my usual 7 hours sleep, I lost 2.5 hours of sleep because both my kitties were crying scared of the howling wind and my dearest Richard had Major Snore visiting… yes, I woke up grouchy but I fought that demon to get my equilibrium on track before my fuse fused ~ begone you Monday demons, take that, HAH!

Moving forward and continuing my feature of the simple white shirt for the week, let’s give the white shirt ensemble more oomph to rev up the week!

XO JR ❤

Let’s do away the sleeves and make way for more movement!
White twist-front shirt from Banana Republic, $59.50 mid-priced for both the working lady and student

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Draw attention to your collarbone with baby love knots by JeannieRichard, $50 (now on 25% sale till May 31)

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Enhance the theme with these classic, subtle and delicate  Love Knot Earrings by JeannieRichard, $35 (now on 25% sale till May 31) ~ a staple for every true lady’s jewelry
box

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Distract them with your flowery curves ~ Floral Pencil Skirt by Calvin Klein, $80 for the working lady

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Add dash of girlie charm with a denim circle flare skirt, $32 for the student

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Make a statement with a chunky love knot bracelet by JeannieRichard, $65

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Something affordable and vibrant for the working lady - Kelly & Katie Ellison Croc Chain Handle Tote, $40

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And something for the student girl to dump all her books and what not – Faux leather tote from Forever 21, $25

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Va-va-voom Biel wedge stilettos by Jimmy Choo, $595 for the working lady to show that kick-ass gait with her super-charged brainwork

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And some heartbreaker ballet flats for the student to show her fellow girlfriends its done –  from ModCloth, $40

Style: Putting Your Best on Monday

I know today is Sunday but as they say ‘the early bird catches the first worm’, yes?
That being said, we should prepare our outfit for the first day of the week – raring to go to tackle a week of hubbubs, tight deadlines, meetings and all that usual work hum-drum.

Do not underestimate the power of fashion sense – what you wear defines who you are. It is a form of self respect and respect to the people around you. Take a white shirt for example, it may be unassumingly simple but when thoughtfully streamlined, its form upon the wearer can cause he/she to evoke an aura of confidence and even conviction to his/her words. This is the power of good styling.

I will be featuring a variety of the ‘simple white shirt’ for this coming work week in different styles for the working lady and student, and how we can accessorize without your wallet weeping.

Without much further ado, let’s tackle Monday with much gusto!
Tell me what you think could make it better, or you love it just the way it is :D

XO JR ❤

White linen tunic by Zoia, $25

Brass Infinity Love Pendent by JeannieRichard, $25 (now on sale at 25% off till May 31)

Brass Love Knot Earrings by JeannieRichard, $35 (now on sale 25% off till May 31)

Brass Infinity Love Ring by JeannieRichard, $35 (now on sale 25% off till May 31)

Skinny Leather Belt by Kurt Geiger, £25
A pop of color over the tunic!

Sloan fit straight-cut pants by Banana Republic, $89.50 for the working lady

Black linen shorts from FOREVER 21, $14.80 for the student

Chloé black satchel bag by SSENSE, $1,895 for the working lady

Unstructured Tote from FOREVER 21, $32.80 for the student

Couldn’t resist this lime green wedge by Diane von Furstenberg, $395 for the working the lady

Fluro leather sandals by ASOS, $27 for the student