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I was recently invited to a black tie formal event on Melbourne Cup Eve day and I’d really like to share this with you all.

Coming from Malaysia, I had absolutely no idea as to what to wear and how to dress for such an event. As I am also fairly conservative in my dressing, the beautiful and gorgeous dresses available here are just simply too sexy for me to wear, though, admittedly, they are extremely beautiful and gorgeous!

See in Malaysia, being invited to such a formal event would have been an easy task as I can always come in my traditional Malay costume which is adorned in beautiful colors and beads and that would have constituted formal dressing. Here, as I don’t dare put on the “little black dress”, I had to go all out trying to find a longer and sleeved dress that fitted my dressing criteria.

I spent many weeks trying to fathom what black tie dress code which for women meant any formal dress, long or short. As I would have to layer with so many stockings and what not had I worn a short dress, I decided that long was the way to go, to not look awkward.

After weeks of scampering around shopping malls and fashion boutiques, I finally settled on a Penelope & Monica Cruz exclusive design for MNG, my very own LBD (Long Black Dress) which retailed for $150 but due to a 30% discount that they had at that time, I got it for only $111.

I’m not really sure if my picture will show it justice, as though it looks conservative, it actually comes with a very sexy and high slit down the side of the dress which sways away to show off your legs as you’re walking. I obviously had to wear a little black slip inside as the slit was a bit too high for my comfort.

The cut of the dress is basically a fitting and slimline cut similar to what Beyonce wore to the Gotham party below.

Then the hunt goes on for perfect shoes and accessories. I finally settled for a pair of shoes from Cinnamon which I purchased for a bargain $50 from an initially retailed price of a whopping $150. My pearl accessories were from Mouche for $49 (necklace) and $39 (bracelet).

Finally after weeks of searching around for the perfect dress befitting the occasion, the day finally came! My hair and makeup was beautifully done by my sister and her friend amidst their busy studying schedules for their exams. I was very pleased with the overall look I had on that night.

For my eye makeup, my sister had applied the below products:

• L’oreal HIP Lofty as a base / primer
• All over lid with Indulgent Cosmetics Gay Banana
• Lower lid with Indulgent Cosmetics Nephthys
• Highlights with Indulgent Cosmetics Nefertari
• Eyeliner with Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Green
• and finally coat the lashes with Kate Dollish Mascara

The event was held at the Crown Palladium and that in itself was pure magic. It was beautifully decorated and combined with the many people there all dressed up and dolled up, it was just oh-so-beautiful indeed! Vanessa Amorosi belted a few tunes and it was indeed an magical and amazing experience for me.

Next up is a quest to find a perfect attire for my company’s ball which will be held in a couple of week’s time at Park Hyatt. The dress code this time? Lounge suit. Any tips to share?

For all of you who have been pining for Smashbox and other brands that was previously not available here in Australia, you can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Zuza has recently opened its doors with two flagship stores in Melbourne, one in Melbourne Central and the other in Westfield Doncaster.

As I was going up the escalators in Melbourne Central, the bright new store just caught my eye. When I saw that it was a makeup and cosmetics store, oh my, I was just too excited for words that I completely forgot to take a picture of the store to share with all of you. Anyhow it’s on Level 3 of Melbourne Central, in between Valleygirl and Patchi.

It’s a beautiful store stocking many, many brands such as:

• Gorgeous Cosmetics
• Smashbox!
• Becca
• Naked Minerals by Jemma
• Bloom
• Bare Minerals
• Revlon
• MD Formulations
• Decleor
• MOR
• Juice Beauty

and tons more!

If you’ve ever wished for a Sasa equivalent in Melbourne, this is it, ladies. So head over there and play away with all the makeup! My take on the place is that it’s just so swooonderful! I’d be sure to get pics of the store (if I can) and post it here one of these days! In the meantime, do check it out!

Forever New, has also now opened a huge, beautiful store on Bourke Street! Though I haven’t got any of their collections (yet!), I must admit that their collections are just simply so gorgeous and the style is just so feminine. I was in lust yesterday when I first saw it.

So for those of you interested in cladding yourself in pretty, feminine party dresses, head over to Forever New this weekend!

I must admit though I’ve had my Rootote for a while now, as I’ve been delaying this post, it seems as though I’m terribly late on the Rootote admiration bandwagon! So though a little late, here’s yet another raving review on the adorable, functional and amazing Rootote that’s captured the hearts of many ladies out there!

I first read about it on Beautyholics Anonymous and was instantly intrigued by the raving reviews Tine gave and liked the pictures I saw on her post. Then I read another raving review on My Women Stuff. I was definitely captivated!

The very next weekend I purchased my first Rootote – the plain Sumiro. There were just so many beautiful totes to choose from that I became cross eyed and couldn’t decide for a while. It took me a whole weekend just to decide on one design. In the end, I settled for a plain black Sumiro, simply because not only is it functional, but its plain, black color allowed me to bring it to work without having to worry about whether it clashes with my professional attire.

As it turned out, one of Rootote’s stockists happens to be located just behind my place and my Rootote arrived not in a parcel, but hand-delivered by a sales rep on a baby pram! How cute is that?

I must say that at first sight, I absolutely loved it! I immediately started unpacking my stuff from my normal handbag and loading it onto the Rootote! Ooh, the vast space and functionality just thrills me!

I basically bring this to work with me at times to dump files, documents and my lunch in. I also love bringing this around when I go shopping as the huge space afforded by my Rootote allows me to carry less bags in my hands when I shop, which is absolutely wonderful.

At this stage, just by looking at the pictures at the Rootote online store, I tend to think that the Medium and Tall bags fit me best. Both ain’t too large and is a perfect size for me to carry around. I find it to have a very strong and sturdy quality, which I’m amazed at.

On the whole, I really do love my Rootote and I reckon every girl with tons of junk to carry (like me!) should have one!

Roototes can be purchased in Australia at their online store. I got mine for A$39. Shipping is free in Australia. It can also be purchased at Tiny Tapir for a bargain RM38 in Malaysia. Sigh……

In terms of selection, seems to me that at this stage there is a wider selection at Rootote Australia compared to Tiny Tapir. Shipping to Malaysia is a flat A$12 from the Rootote store in Australia.

I’m pining to get one or two more…Only thing that’s stopping me is the doom and gloom affecting the financial world at the moment and the fact that I should really reserve my budget for my upcoming wedding…

Oh well, there’s always next year….I’m definitely certain that I’ll be expanding my Rootote collection in the future….

My dearest readers…

Life’s other commitments has been knocking me inside out lately, leaving me feeling very very tired and exhausted on a daily basis that I have not had the time, much less, the energy, to gain inspiration to write up a proper review for all of you.