Eid al-Adha 2019 Outfit: An Unconventional Eid in Floral Embroidered Kimono-Inspired Abaya
Shah and I had probably the most chill and unconventional Eid al-Adha celebration we've ever had with my family a couple of Sundays ago. Our usual Eid "itinerary" did not take place e.g. instead of eating the usual local Eid food like nasi himpit, rendang, kuah kacang, and lodeh for Eid breakfast, we ate waffles instead. My mom's Eid cooking is ah-MAY-zing but her waffles are legendary; it's what I'd usually request on my birthday mornings!
We all spent most of the day at home just lounging around watching fun movies, entertaining our niece Arya with movies she's never watched; Shah chose The Croods to show her and I went with Matilda afterwards.
Which, may I add, was a bigger success than Shah's choice. None of my family members had seen Matilda either (I KNOW RIGHT) and they were all laughing throughout the movie. I'm a huge Roald Dahl fan, with Matilda being my absolute favourite book so perhaps when Arya is older I'll be able to convince her to read it too.
Which, may I add, was a bigger success than Shah's choice. None of my family members had seen Matilda either (I KNOW RIGHT) and they were all laughing throughout the movie. I'm a huge Roald Dahl fan, with Matilda being my absolute favourite book so perhaps when Arya is older I'll be able to convince her to read it too.
We had hot chocolate and sticky date pudding at one of our favourite restaurants during teatime (again, very out of ordinary for Eid — or should I say out of "Eid-inary" hew hew) before finishing our Eid celebration with watching Get Out late at night. (Honestly, how our Eid turned into a Netflix movie marathon, I do not know.)
My least favourite movie genre is horror/thriller (movies by my bae Tim Burton not included because his movies are in their own genre) so I imagine my siblings were thrilled they finally succeeded in making me watch it.
FYI, I absolutely loved the movie. (Maybe I should try It next?)
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And now on to my Eid outfit, consisting of a beautiful floral embroidered kimono-inspired abaya I bought in Mecca and en electric blue scarf to match the embroidery. I have plenty of beaded black abayas so to own an intricately embroidered one feels quite special, really.
A touch of concealer, some brow-filling and swipes of red lipstick to complete my simple look and I was Eid-ready!
A touch of concealer, some brow-filling and swipes of red lipstick to complete my simple look and I was Eid-ready!
Wearing: Floral embroidered abaya from Mecca | Zara leather mules (the same ones I wore with the "donut" rainbow caftan on the 2nd day of Eid al-Fitr)
I absolutely adore these extra-modest accented black abayas! Click on each image below to see more of my favourites:
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Around The Web | McDonald's Fries Tee & Non-Pyjama Polka Dot Suit
The more I look at my polka dot suit, the more it looks like a pyjama set, honestly. Let me just bravely put that out there, OK? But the fact that it's just so comfy (I mean, a matchy-matchy thin suit to wear in hot and humid Malaysia COUNT ME IN) and cute-as-a-button (in my eyes) just makes me care less that the blazer and pants look more suited for a good night's sleep rather than on the streets.
But if it's good enough for the French Riviera, it's good enough for anywhere else, right?
Also, hands up if you're into my kitschy McDonald's Fries Tee because ah I'm LOVIN' IT ♡♡♡
To eagle-eyed readers YES I did wear another french fries t-shirt at the French Riviera with this suit. One way to convey to the world that I'm a regular french fry-lover, is it not? In fact, I could really use a basket of 'em right about now...
Note: Preferably stringy and a little crispy on the outside, please. And salty. Would not say no to truffle toppings.
Now, before my craving for salty truffle fries gets any more urgent, here are some of the subjects around the web that have caught my eyes:
1. Suffering Unseen: The Dark Truth Behind Wildlife Tourism
I recently saw someone on Instagram — whom I admire, might I add — sharing a photo of her sitting beside a tiger on a vacation. I was appalled and disappointed. In this era of social media, I just assumed everyone would have at the very least a slight sense of "wokeness" about the abuse wildlife animals have to endure to entertain tourists. It reminded me of this article by National Geographic I read months ago that also touches the sad reality of questionable so-called sanctuaries.If you only have time to read ONE thing today (after skimming my casual post, I mean), this should be it. It's quite in-depth so take your time.
2. These Portraits Of Insects Aren't Actually Insects At All
On a lighter note, and also posted by National Geographic, aren't these "portraits" breathtaking? I've always been envious of people with natural artistic instincts and Raku Inoue is definitely one of them.
3. The Em Dash Divides
Have any of you noticed my love for the dashing em dash? Can't stop, won't stop — using the em dash, I mean!4. Absurd Creature Of The Week: The Parasitic Worm That Turns Snails Into Disco Zombies
This article popped up on my Twitter timeline recently even though it's about five years old. WARNING: it will most probably give you a heck of goosebumps, so do not click on this if the sight of creepy crawlies grosses you out.On the other hand, it is educational and makes you truly wonder at the intricacy of nature.
5. The Little Women Trailer Is Here!
Not an article to read but oh em gee, guys, the Little Women trailer is finally here! I absolutely loved the book and its sequel Good Wives. The story may have been written over a century ago (!) but it's an ageless one that invites re-reads, over and over again.
Movie adaptations of Little Women had been done before but I never sought to watch any of them. But this Little Women movie stars the Saoirse Ronan (LOVE Saoirse!) and Emma Watson and is directed by Greta Gerwig. It's coming out on Christmas later this year but I suspect (and hope dearly) it'll be worth the wait.
Have you watched any Little Women movie adaptation? Let me know if there's one that you feel evoke the sentiments of the book because I'd love to watch it.
6. Is Fashion Blogging Vain, Shallow and Narcissistic?
It is as if Samantha — of the blog Fake Fabulous and one of my favourite bloggers — is writing about why I blog in her post. Her pretty eloquent explanation of why she blogs about her outfits really does align perfectly with the reasons I blog.
Hope you enjoy the links included here, and have a good week ahead, beauties!
Wearing: Topshop polka dot blazer & matching pants | Zara McDonald's t-shirt | Satin ribbon mules from Haji Lane, Singapore | Candy-wrapper bag from Jonker Street, Melaka (first seen with this pinstriped blazer)
2 Easy Tips To Avoid A Disastrous Outfit On A Trip
You know when you put thoughts into what outfit to wear tomorrow, take the pieces out of your closet to lay them down together, and nod in satisfaction when they seem like they've come together?
And the next morning you look into the mirror after wearing the outfit, only to realise your supposedly carefully thought-out pieces did not "come together" after all?
All would be well if your entire closet is at your disposable that very morning but what if you were miles and miles away from home in a hotel room with only the content of your cabin-sized luggage to work with?
And the next morning you look into the mirror after wearing the outfit, only to realise your supposedly carefully thought-out pieces did not "come together" after all?
All would be well if your entire closet is at your disposable that very morning but what if you were miles and miles away from home in a hotel room with only the content of your cabin-sized luggage to work with?
That was what happened to me recently. My initial outfit idea that was in my luggage was to match this polka dot hot pink top with these beige pants with a pair of leather mules and my lilac beaded bag. Sounds like a working combination, right? Except after ironing everything (and remember how I dislike ironing) and putting everything on, the mirror reflected me standing in a tied potato sack, somehow.
A hot pink tied potato sack, that is.
At least, that's how I felt!
I was due somewhere in less than an hour with train-ride in between so I had to think fast. Thankfully, after all the trips I've taken in the past (all of which required fast packing), I've learned two easy tips to avoid a potential disastrous outfit:
1. Try on each outfit before packing them
This gives you time to assess if the clothing items in your head really work together. If they don't, you can easily switch out a few things, pronto, until you create an ensemble that finally makes sense to you.2. Bring extra clothes (as in overpack, yes!)
The is the tip I always seem to utilize because somehow I'm always involuntarily having to pack at short notice! (Also the perfect tip for procrastinators, like yours truly.) For this two-night staycation, I brought one extra pair of pants, an extra top, and even a spare pair of shoes plus handbag. They might sound a bit excessive but these four items could also create an entirely different outfit should I need to extend my stay (which has happened before, by the way.)
In the end, I stuck with the hot pink top (because I've ironed it, guys), then swap out those beige pants and beaded bag for the spare polka dot black pants and the chain bag. Not my first choice for an outfit but, hey, still better than the disastrous potato sack look!
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Of course, tip #1 works when I don't have to rush packing but between the two tips, I would recommend #1 more because not overpacking clothes means a lighter load — and more space too, which is excellent if you're on a special trip somewhere and want to bring gifts back home for your loved ones.
Have you ever experienced a style disaster when you were travelling far from home?
Wearing: Topshop hot pink polka dot tied top (worn on my birthday this year!) | H&M polka dot wide-leg pants | Zara suede mules | Topshop chain bag
Third Time's The Charm: Beaded Lace Modern-Traditional Baju Kurung
Presenting my favourite beaded lace baju kurung in yet another post here on The Good Weekender! Third time really is the charm, because this is probably my favourite styling of the modern-traditional outfit out of all three times, but please, feel free to choose your favourite between Styling 1, Styling 2, and this one!
You might remember me explaining how Malay weddings in Malaysia have "colour themes" for the two families involved? How it was mint green for my family at my cousin's solemnization in Pekanbaru, Indonesia (the bride's hometown), and nude/beige/cream for the wedding the day after?
And perhaps if you've read the Styling 1 post (click on the above link if you haven't!), you've learned that it is common for the bride and the groom to have separate weddings?
Well, these photos were taken after my cousin's wedding — the groom's side — right in Kuala Lumpur, the heart of Malaysia. And I'm hoping you would be able to guess what the colour theme was this time just by looking at my photos here but just in case, it's the colour that is combined from the calmness of blue and the ferocity of the colour red: purple.
Well, these photos were taken after my cousin's wedding — the groom's side — right in Kuala Lumpur, the heart of Malaysia. And I'm hoping you would be able to guess what the colour theme was this time just by looking at my photos here but just in case, it's the colour that is combined from the calmness of blue and the ferocity of the colour red: purple.
I just had to break out my darling lilac-pink beaded bag again to go with all the purple and the magenta beadings on my baju kurung, then completing the look with a silvery grey scarf as my hijab to highlight the floral threads in the lace.
Not quite sure how else I could style this baju kurung again in the future, but, hey, every single time I put on this purple delight will be an absolute charm anyway, I'm sure!
Wearing: Tailor-made purple modern baju kurung | Skinnydip beaded bag | BFF The Label mules (on serious repeat lately, see them with a striped denim jacket & this zigzag blazer!)
My Main Essentials For A Hot Afternoon Out
I am absolutely not the kind of person who would stroll out under the hot, sharp ray of the afternoon sun on an almost cloudless day, but that's exactly what I did last month. Like the cool geeks that Shah and I are (hew hew) we went to check out the gathering of Beetle cars in Malaysia and their owners, to commemorate the "end of an era" of when Volkswagen is no longer producing the iconic Beetle, starting from this year.
But the fact that we would have to be there by 2pm to participate in the festivities got me going back and forth between "HECK no, sunburn much?" and "But I really REALLY want to see those old-school Beetles!". Eventually, as someone whose dream car is an old-school classic Beetle, the latter won.
(PS: I never did manage to convince my husband to recondition a super old Beetle for me, ah well.)
(PS: I never did manage to convince my husband to recondition a super old Beetle for me, ah well.)
I came facing the hot, HOT afternoon as prepared as I could though, with the help of these top sunny essentials:
1. Straw Hat
One annoying thing about wearing the hijab: the tan line formed from your hijab line — ugh, not as cute as a bikini tan line at all, OK?
I experienced my first forehead tan line when I was living in Europe and I had to learn how to prevent it fast, and what I learned fast (and easy): straw hats are the best way to go. Also, the wider the better! My favourite straw hat ever was my "Venice" one (see end of post) but sadly, it has seen better days.
I experienced my first forehead tan line when I was living in Europe and I had to learn how to prevent it fast, and what I learned fast (and easy): straw hats are the best way to go. Also, the wider the better! My favourite straw hat ever was my "Venice" one (see end of post) but sadly, it has seen better days.
2. Sunglasses
Aside from making us look cooler than we really are, sunglasses serve to protect your eyes from sun damage, as well as preventing any frustrating headache that is occasionally induced from the sun's glare.3. Sunscreen
You've got to shield your skin from those dang UVA and UVB rays, gurl! My go-to sunscreen currently is Eucerin's ProACNE Solution Day Mat Whitening, which works well on my acne-prone oily skin.#notsponsored #IWishIWasThough
4. Full-on Face Makeup
Putting full-on foundation on my face actually offers another layer of protection that prevents my skin from getting further tanned, thus almost eliminating that pesky hijab tan line! It helps to concentrate the foundation on the highest points of my face that get tanned or even sunburned the fastest, which are my forehead and nose.
5. Breezy flowy thin maxi dress
Forget about them jeans! I do like palazzo pats and wide culottes for a hot day out but nothing beats the breeze a maxi dress gives a hijabi, amirite?Bonus: A cooling white or lighter hued dress would have been much better if you own one.
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Chunky platform sneakers on a sunny afternoon out are not one of my recomendations, but these incredibly cute platform sneakers are my latest shoe addition that I am utterly so obsessed with to the point I was absolutely willing to forgo my usual cooler mules.
But don't worry, they're actually miseadingly comfy and were seriously not at all as heaty as you'd expect. Would I re-wear this out in the hot afternoon again? Um, yes, I totally would — but feel free to stick to your options of footwear, ladies!
What are your tips and essentials for a hot sunny day out?
Wearing:H&M floral ruffle dress | Zara platform sneakers | Zara backpack | Zalora sunglasses
Click on each image to see the previous times I wore a straw hat on other super hot afternoons:
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The No-Ironing-Necessary ZigZag Blazer
Confession time: I hate ironing clothes.
Hate. It.
Hate is a strong word that I actually hate using (huh) but I've just got to throw that word in to convey how much I do NOT like to iron. How I wish I was one of those people who find the act of ironing out wrinkles soothing and therapeutic! (Yes, apparently these people exist.)
Which is why I love pieces like the pyjama-inspired top my mother-in-law wanted for herself as well as this zigzag blazer — NO IRONING NECESSARY GUYSSS. It's not even the crazy zigzag pattern masking the wrinkles, but the blazer's material itself is iron-free straight out of the washing machine, so that does make me one happy ironing-free girl for the day!
Hate. It.
Hate is a strong word that I actually hate using (huh) but I've just got to throw that word in to convey how much I do NOT like to iron. How I wish I was one of those people who find the act of ironing out wrinkles soothing and therapeutic! (Yes, apparently these people exist.)
The "real-life" me would be out in public wearing an unironed outfit head-to-ankle and not care but, hey, I'm not a complete slob: I DO care enough to iron my clothes when I'm either taking photos for this blog (of course) or attending an important enough function.
But even then, if I could get away with not ironing, I would, OK? I would.
But even then, if I could get away with not ironing, I would, OK? I would.
Which is why I love pieces like the pyjama-inspired top my mother-in-law wanted for herself as well as this zigzag blazer — NO IRONING NECESSARY GUYSSS. It's not even the crazy zigzag pattern masking the wrinkles, but the blazer's material itself is iron-free straight out of the washing machine, so that does make me one happy ironing-free girl for the day!
Wearing: Warehouse blazer | Zara crop flare jeans | BFF The Label mules | Playnomore faux crocodile bag
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