Wardrobe staple pieces!

Here's a popular misconception about shopping kaki-ism: the myth that we don't need the stuff we buy anyway. XD

Here's the truth: We may not need every single item we buy, but some must-haves that are wardrobe staple pieces have been unfairly dismissed as unnecessary! :(

The low-down on 5 must-haves in your wardrobe:

Must-Have #1: The Backless & Strapless Bra

Come on, ladies, the FreeBra is a must MUST have for all your backless, strapless needs! :D Also serves as useful padding to fill up chesty dresses. ;) These were available everywhere about a year or so ago, but now they're hard to come by online - so happy to report that Sista Closette has them in all 4 cup sizes!

Freebra from Sista Closette RM25

Must-Have #2: The Maxi Dress

Hehe this is Your Shopping Kaki you're reading! XD Of course I'm gonna say the maxi dress is a must-have. :D :D :D For lazy days when you can't figure out which top to match with which bottom, or for the beach or for the mall or for classes or for formal events. This is one versatile piece that once you have, you cannot do without. ;)

Less common maxi dresses from Sista Closette

Must-Have #3: Don't forget your pants!

Just like you don't want to leave the house forgetting to wear your pants, don't forget to dress your wardrobe up with the 5 essentials of two-legged bottoms: jeans, leggings, shorts, formal and nonformal.

High-waisted shorts and tapered trousers from Sista Closette

Must-Have #4: Potatoes in a jacket

Cardigans, jackets, blazers - whichever is more your thing, go for it! :D This country may be a li'l warm for layering all the time, but if you spend your time moving from air-conditioned place to another - like yours truly always seeks to do XD - you'll be swell! :) It adds a pop of colour if your clothes are dull, and it hides flab if you've been a bit too enthusiastic about post-CNY snacks. Hehe!

Formal and casual cardigans from Sista Closette

Must-Have #5: Luck be a lady tonight

This is admitted one of the best perks of the female wardrobe - o' dresses, pretty dresses! :D We have an endless palette of fabrics, patterns, colours - from the weight of the material to the feel of the lining against your skin, from cotton tank dresses to silky lace bodycon dresses ... to the ever-graceful sundress. :D

Dresses from Sista Closette

I hope you feel inspired to shop away for some must-haves! :D Items pictured in this article are available at Sista Closette for under RM50, plus YSK readers enjoy an RM3 rebate with the password "I Love YSK & SC!". Additional RM2 rebate if you make payment within 24 hours ;)

For sale items in Sista Closette: Purchase above RM100 purchase and enjoy free postage to West Malaysia (above RM110 for East Malaysia).

Another juicy piece of news is that you can combine your purchases with those from their sister store, House of Leggings - where you can get just about any leggings you need or want! :D

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

Never too many a TooToo in town.

We always love a new girl in town. ;)

Like when Katie Cassidy showed up on Gossip Girl to steal Nate's heart ... and we wondered, will she be a bad girl like Li'l J? Will she be a goody-two-shoes like Vanessa? Or will she be totally evil? XD

Or when AirAsia started making waves in the sky:

Or when Gabriella Montez was the new girl in school and set off a three-film series we know and love as High School Musical ... plus this very iconic poster:

So, when TooToo Store danced into the online shopping community this year - we were immedately intrigued by how it marketed itself as a new little store in town! :D

TooToo Store

And as the conventional recipe of the new girl in town - she's girly, cute for accessories and this time specializes more for petite clothes because the owner of TooToo Store is a petite herself! ;D Some clothes go up to a small Large, so I'd recommend this store's apparel for sizes 4 to 10 and accessories for everyone of course! :)

From tutu and scallop skirts to feminine frocks and androgynous shirts and adorable trinkets and shoes - TooToo Store is definitely that new girl in town to keep your eye on! ;)

Just look at the clear, crisp photos and adorable selection of items!

And here's a bonus for YSK readers - 10% discount just for you, until the end of February 2011! :) Password: "I'm a YSK reader!"

You only have a couple of days to use this discount, so hurry over to TooToo Store today! :D

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

Everybody has a solemate.

Fashion is an evolution - and so is your wardrobe. When you first discover the magical world of shopping, you need the basics - tubes, tanks, LBDs, denim jeans, leggings, flats, pumps, heels, bangles, necklaces, earrings, cinchers, a good fitted blazer ... And then you can start spending on the more whimsical pieces that aren't exactly necessary, but are so darn pretty. And then, once your wardrobe is filled with pretty things you've bought - you may or may not start to get annoyed that "everybody is wearing the same thing".

Here's where your creativity comes in. You might splash paint on your denim jeans, slash your leggings, artfully rip the back of your tank tops, stud your bags and belts. But what do you do to your shoes?

Here's where Mate comes in! :D

mate - your sole bff

What do they sell? Shoe accessories!

Yes, you read it right! :D Shoes that've gone from new and shiny to old and blah can now be revived with a bit of creative accessorizing! :D

It's all the rage now, from the hottest runways to the hottest celebs.

Buy from off-the-rack accessories or custom-make your own. Everything is delightfully affordable, around RM12 to RM30! ;)

Ribbons ...

Bondage chic ...

Studs ...

Cutesy felt ...

Fringe ...

Studs and chains ...

Floral ...

... and so much more! :)

Check out the full collection at mate now - and stay tuned for a product review by Guest Blogger Anna Chieng next week! ;D

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

I like that.

If you do too, then show it! :D

• Click "Like" at the Rooks fanpage on Facebook -
  
• and then "Like" this album (not the photo).

Two little steps to help this very creative team win the competition they're in. :) I don't know the details about the competition, but I know that I like the very fashionable and fun-loving video! :D

See the comments for more details.

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

Product Review: Makeup Bags

I don't know if you realise this yet - chances are that you do, but this is for those of us who haven't - but being pretty takes a lot of work. :P Well, for most of us, anyway! Sure, some women are born with that naturally flawless skin and gorgeous features - and while we can't stand the sight of these perfectly preened creatures, we seek to be as close to perfect as we can. :D

And we owe a lot of this to the power of cosmetics. ;)

Got a zit? Don't worry, cover it up with foundation! Got puffy eyes from a late night out clubbing/being stuck in the office doing accounts? Don't worry, just whip out your concealer! Got an oily T-zone that starts to shine two hours into the workday? Don't worry, pull out your facial blotter and blot away that grime! Got a big presentation at work and want people to pay extra attention to the words coming out of your mouth? Wear bright red lipstick! :D Afraid the lipstick will disappear after three sips of water and two bites of char koay teow? Bring your lipstick with you!

But with so many magic tools to lug along where ever you go, you might sometimes miss out an item or two - and with increasingly high standards of perfection in society, those items can sometimes make all the difference. You don't want to be in a position where you can't find your facial blotter right before a job interview, because sometimes one impression is all you get to make. Do we really want to risk being remembered as "the girl with the oily nose"?

Of course, I apologise if I sound superficial. XD But let's be safe rather than sorry, and invest in a cute makeup bag to carry all our magic tools with us where ever we go! :D

Betsey Johnson inspired makeup bag, RM25 from Lil Missy Sweety

I recently bought this makeup bag from Lil Missy Sweety, and I just had to share with my dearest readers - you - about the usefulness of a cute makeup bag! :D

You gotta admit, it's really colourful and light - which brightens my day and lightens my load. I'm the kind of person who likes to stuff a lot of things into her bag - camera, cellphone, wallet, keys, notepad, pen, tissue, water bottle, and of course, cosmetics. :D

A makeup bag is also a MUST-HAVE for any woman who goes travelling! Whether it's a sleepover at your best friend's house, a week-long family vacation or a romantic weekend getaway with your boyfriend, you need to have your makeup bag and all your essential cosmetics with you.

When I go travelling, my makeup bag needs to also have
tweezers, pimple cream, moisturizer, and makeup remover
on top of the usual cosmetics. :P

Some of the other makeup bags that are available on Lil Missy Sweety include these delightful designs:

Prices range from RM19 to RM28, all available at Lil Miss Sweety

Please note that the makeup bags are available by pre-order only, which just means that there's a slight waiting period before you receive your purchases. :) The waiting time is estimated to be 1-2 weeks, but may take longer during peak seasons like Chinese New Year or Christmas. If you have any questions or doubts, please feel free to ask Elaine - the owner of Lil Miss Sweety. :D

And to wrap up this product review, of course we've arranged a special promotion for YSK readers! :D YSK readers will enjoy free postage storewide (not just makeup bags!). You can also enjoy an RM5 rebate if you buy more than 4 pre-order items or 4 vintage accessories.

Password: "I love Lil Missy Sweety!"
Promotion ends on April 1st 2011.

Click HERE to start shopping at Lil Missy Sweety now! :D Remember to bookmark them too to check for updates, since the promotion only ends when March ends.

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

Want a FREE bazaar booth?

You read it right! :D This time, Let's Bazaar is seriously saying "Let's Bazaar!" to everybody! We've been blogging about them quite a bit (click here) but they've just unveilled their latest promotion - and we're blown away! :D

When?
Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday starting 18 February 2011
*Remember to save up your angpow money, hehe!*

Where?
The 19 USJ City Mall
See the map below:

How do you get a FREE BOOTH on 18, 19 and 20 February 2011?

• Register now online here: http://letsbazaar.blogspot.com/p/application-form.html
• 咱们的市集管理疯了！快来抢免费展位！
  网上注册 http://letsbazaar.blogspot.com/p/application-form.html
  没有任何条款及条件!!
• You just have to register within this week and must attend after confirmation.
  

I don't know what the Mandarin bit says (because I'm quite the banana, lol) but hopefully it's a translation of the English one. Maybe you can drop a comment below and tell me what it says. Haha!

Click here to check out more info ya! :) You can also check out their "Rainy Day Subsidy" and "Bring Your Friends Program".

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

The Fluorescent Adolescence.

Like most young women, I love the entire process of getting dressed up. From shopping for pieces that just call my name, to dolling up and slipping into a sky-high pair of heels and going somewhere. And like most young people, I love instant gratification.

And there's no gratification as instant as ready stock items. You look, you want, you buy, it gets delivered to you! :)

It makes perfect sense, then, that Fluorescent Adolescence has updated with a collection of gorgeous, ready-stock items that we only usually find in pre-order catalogues! :D Instead of waiting 3-6 weeks for these dresses and tops, we receive them within a couple of days. To top it all off, shipping is FREE and the more you buy, the more discounts you get!

Start that instant gratification now. Start shopping at Fluorescent Adolescence! :)

Stand out from the crowd in this movin' and shakin' fringe minidress.

Be on the cover of everybody's mental magazine with this embellished toga.

Rock fashion's timeless trends: animal prints, stripes, and boyfriend shirts.

And remember to feast your eyes on the huge collection of dresses!

Here's a dress that I think can be taken from work to play. ;)

Last but not least ...

Be

Whether you're looking to be edgy, playful or sheer-chiffon kinda sexy ...
Anyone can be instantly gratified at Fluorescent Adolescence. :)

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)