latest read: cannery row

This is a book mentioned by Luke Davies, the screenwriter for the movie Lion.

A summary from GoodReads.com:

Cannery Row is a book without much of a plot. Rather, it is an attempt to capture the feeling and people of a place, the cannery district of Monterey, California, which is populated by a mix of those down on their luck and those who choose for other reasons not to live "up the hill" in the more respectable area of town. The flow of the main plot is frequently interrupted by short vignettes that introduce us to various denizens of the Row, most of whom are not directly connected with the central story. These vignettes are often characterized by direct or indirect reference to extreme violence: suicides, corpses, and the cruelty of the natural world.

The "story" of Cannery Row follows the adventures of Mack and the boys, a group of unemployed yet resourceful men who inhabit a converted fish-meal shack on the edge of a vacant lot down on the Row.

latest read: big little lies

It's a really interesting read and keeps you glued in. 

You just want to know more and more about the characters. 

And, there are so many characters to go through but the focus is on three main ones i.e. 

Madeline, Jane and Celeste.

I have been sleeping late to read through this book. 

Liane is great at elaborating on the emotions, little nuances of human behaviour and thinking, that you really believe that you know these characters. 

I can't wait to read her other books.

I also love that the setting is in Sydney, Australia rather than another American town. 

Glad that this book is written by an Australian.

updated French sole collection

latest read: lion

When nomination for best picture was announced for the 2017 Academy Award, this was one of the books that I immediately went out to purchase, and this is the last one I got from the long list of books.

The premise of the story is quite simple- an adopted son looking and finding his birth mother. 

But somehow this particular true story struck a chord with me. And after reading this story, the essence of the story stuck with me for days. Somehow it feels like I was taking the journey with Saroo. I have not brought myself to watching the film adaptation as yet for I am quite agitated and have a feeling of uneasiness as to how it will affect me emotionally to visually see the story unfold instead of just words on a page. The fact that the actor playing Saroo was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the Academy Award and in fact won Best Supporting actor for the BAFTAs, fills me with even more trepidation on watching the film. I am holding on and also prepping myself for a suitable time when I can find ample time to compose myself after watching the film. I have been binge-watching a lot of interviews regarding this movie and man, the anticipation is killing me to just plunge and watch the film, but I just can't at the moment.

The book is just a wonderful and emotional telling of a story that is simple in context but has layer upon layers of complex emotions and rawness to the journey that was taken to such a beautiful ending.

latest read: hidden figures

The contribution of "West Computers" which are all-black women in NASA.

latest read: when breath becomes air

A memoir of a neurosurgeon.

latest read: the girl on the train

The build up of the story is quite interesting.

latest read: a man called ove

Love this story. 

It just goes to show that everything is connected.

latest read: the little prince

This has been a book I have been seen on the shelves for ages. 

So I've decided finally to buy it. 

Not quite sure what the fuss has been about this story. 

It's basically a story about people neglecting the important things in life and  paying too much attention on small stuff.

latest read: fantastic beasts and where to find them - the original screenplay

F1 2016

This year's F1 has been pushed to later in the year. 

Typically F1 in Malaysia is scheduled for late March or early April.

F1 2016 is held on 30th Sept - 02 Oct 2016.

into the LV collection

GBP 1750.00 -- after VAT reduction, RM8606.88

latest read: harry potter and the cursed child

The chosen one dealing with his child.

Cath Kidston

Ordered online on 31st Mar  and arrived on 4th April.

my 12th and 13th French Sole

With the ridiculous exchange rate, it is actually cheaper to just purchase from the store at KLCC but if they are on sale on the website, then of course I can't pass that up. 

Henrietta Jaguar Calf Hair Size 36

Henrietta Black Metallic Spot Size 36

Both came to GBP108.33 which converted to RM679.77.

Tracking Details:
It took 12 days to get from UK to Malaysia.
Did they shipped using a boat?!

latest read: the silkworm

It took me ages to read this book; not because its hard to read or uninteresting but because life just got in the way of having a chance to finish it.

Once I got going, you just can't put it down, which is a very typical situation when reading a book by Robert Galbraith aka J. K. Rowling.

I thoroughly enjoy the build-up of the story and the character but I feel the conclusion of who actually committed the murder was just too matter-of-fact. It felt like the discovery of the murderer and all the evidence was presented in such a way to end the book.

Spoiler alert:

It was Elizabeth Tassel.

iPhone 6s

There was a time I clearly remember when I said, a little too cockily, that I could live without a smartphone. 

That was until I won an iPhone 5 (here) and my thoughts completely changed.

How easy it was to connect to the rest of the world, the superior processing and camera features;

I was sold!

2 years have passed and it is time for an upgrade.

Many a brand have caught up to the brilliant Apple but being a person with brand loyalty,
I looked only to the upgrades that Apple did to their iPhone.

I waited patiently pass iPhone 5s and most recently the iPhone 6. 

By the time iPhone 6s rolled around, I couldn't  wait any longer for an upgrade.

So here I am with an iPhone 6s Rose Gold.

Got it as a birthday present. :-)

latest read: hector and the search for happiness

It's a very simple story about Hector who is a psychiatrist and in a rut because listening to people everyday who have everything yet find the most unimportant things bother them, have made him rather depressed.

Thus he is unhappy and now in search of happiness.

The list of lesson he came up after travelling the world is:

Lesson no. 1: Making comparisons can spoil your happiness.

Lesson no. 2: Happiness often comes when least expected.

Lesson no. 3. Many people see happiness only in their future.

Lesson no. 4: Many people think that happiness comes from having more power or more money.

Lesson no. 5: Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story.

Lesson no. 6: Happiness is a long walk in beautiful, unfamiliar mountains.

Lesson no. 7: It's a mistake to think that happiness is the goal.

Lesson no. 8: Happiness is being with the people you love.

Lesson no. 8b: Unhappiness is being separated from the people you love.

Lesson no. 9: Happiness is knowing your family lacks for nothing.

Lesson no. 10: Happiness is doing a job you love.

Lesson no. 11: Happiness is having a home and a garden of your own.

Lesson no. 12: It's harder to be happy in a country run by bad people.

Lesson no. 13: Happiness is feeling useful to others.

Lesson no. 14: Happiness is to be loved for exactly who you are.

Observation: People are kinder to a child who smiles (very important).

Lesson no. 15: Happiness comes when you feel truly alive.

Lesson no. 16: Happiness is knowing how to celebrate.

Lesson no. 17: Happiness is caring about the happiness those you love.

Lesson no. 18: Happiness could be the freedom to love more than one woman at the time.

Lesson no. 19: The sun and the sea make everyone happy.

Lesson no. 20: Happiness is a certain way of seeing things.

Lesson no. 21: Rivalry poisons happiness.

Lesson no. 22: Women care  more than men about making others happy.

Lesson no. 23: Happiness means making sure that those around you are happy.

Clearly some makes more sense that others.

my 9th, 10th and 11th pair of French Sole

Yes... 

It is an obsession.

Yes... It is getting crazy.

And no... 

It's not going to stop any time soon.

With the Ringgit becoming weaker, it is now worth it to purchase these shoes at the local store rather than through the French Sole online store. But only when there is a 50% off sale in store.

This time I went black and grey.

2 pairs of black shoes - 

one which was already targeted upon entry into the store and the other was at a much lower price from the original.
and
1 pair of silver shoes.

Left: Annie Velvet with Flower Motive and Gold Trim.
Right: Henrietta Black Patent Croc with Black Trim

Annie under lights.
Very difficult to see the beautiful flower design since the material is velvet.
But it's gorgeous... 

Henrietta Black Patent Croc with Black trim

Henrietta Silver Patent Croc with Grey trim

Top: Annie was originally RM1150 and now down to RM480.
Bottom: Henrietta was at RM830 and now at RM415.

Henrietta was at RM840 and now at RM420.

F1 2015

F1 Petronas Malaysia GP

27 - 29 April 2015

I was a bit late in booking my seats and my preferred row was all taken.
Dang!
Must remember to book earlier.

There was this huge wall decoration at the back of the Mercedes-Petronas advertising canopy.
I tried but failed to contain myself.
Super excited that it is Nico that they chose.
It's really cool!
:-) 

I don't remember them coming forward for the national anthem but I've missed quite a few starting grid presentation.
Smart Nico came prepared with sunglasses and a cooling vest.

Pulling all the stuff necessary for the team while waiting for the start.

Busy busy busy... Setup... 

Waiting for the 5 red lights to light up... and go go go!! 

So as it turns out, the race was won by Sebastian Vettel who started second on the grid.

There were high expectations that Mercedes would end this race on a 1-2 as they have done from Melbourne a couple of weeks ago and also how the ended many times from the previous season.

So there were many talks on how brilliantly Ferrari has caught up to the Mercedes in just two races.

Well, it's only two races so far and the season is looong.

So, let's wait and see.

Whatever it may be, go go NICO!!

my third Burberry

I was in Johor Premium Outlet (JPO) over the weekend.

This was an impulse buy.. well,... no actually. 

I've been meaning to grab something from the Burberry outlet so

the moment I saw this it was a quick decision.

This retails at RM 6,695.00.

 JPO sells at RM 4,266.50. 

I got this down another 10% (because we bought 3 items), 

which makes it now just RM 3,839.85.

my 7th & 8th French Sole

Ordered via frenchsole.com

It took two weeks to arrive at my doorstep.

Thrilled that the sizes are right and they are beautiful.

Henrietta 
BRONZE METALLIC CROC LEATHER WITH BROWN TRIM
frenchsole.com sale price at GBP 54.17 which translate to RM 301.20.

Henrietta
COBALT PEBBLE EFFECT NUBUCK WITH COBALT TRIM
frenchsole.com sale price at GBP 50.00 which translate to RM 278.00.

******************

By the way, the sales persons at the KLCC store keep on saying that "the sizing may differ due to the shoes being handmade so there's no guaranty that the sizes you try in store will fit you if you purchase online".
Hmm...
I seriously think it's a marketing ploy with possibly a tiny bit of truth.
Sure, the sizes may differ since they are not machine-made but it may only differ a little bit since I am pretty sure French Sole would have some standards that the shoemakers will follow for sizes.
They are trained shoemakers.
Come on...
You're just saying this to encourage us to buy in the store and get you commissions, right?!...

my 4th, 5th & 6th French Sole

Oh oh...

I didn't know that they were having 50% off storewide when I walked in just out of curiosity.

Dang!!

This is what happened...

3 pairs in one go!

Henrietta Raspberry Patent Croc/Same Trim
RM 780.00 - 50% = RM 390.00

Upper:
Henrietta Pink Python/ Pink Trim
RM 780.00 - 50% = RM 390.00
Lower:
Sturdy Taupe Quilt/Matching Trim
RM 730.00 - 50% = RM 365.00

How can I resist at such reasonable prices?
And having a slight obsession with them shoes, really not helping...

Pandora jewellery - added charm

Joint my bracelet family:

Pandora jewellery - rings

From the moment I saw this ring stack combination, I fell in love. 

These are the ring combination that I want from Pandora.

Now they are on my finger 

(or fingers, depending on how I use them. :-) )

Yay, yay, yay!!!