Fashion + Design: A Design Story – The Making of Sweaty Betty Everyday Lookbook 2010

Graphic Design is about the creative process, from concept to production, it needs enormous of attention in details and planning. Since I haven't posted for a long time, I thought to share a design story and a bit of behind the scene with you. Let's travel back in time to August 2010...

I never realised fitness has such an important and significant role in my life until two summers ago. I've been a loyal Sweaty Betty member for quite a long time now, I pay weekly pilgrimage to their Circuit, Yoga and Pilate in-store classes. Last year, whilst I was casually shopping on their website, I noticed they were hiring for a Senior Graphic Designer – a perfect job for me!!

I lack fashion graphic design experience and to stand out from my competitors, I've decided to go the extra mile. I always have to rush to their classes after work, not giving too much time to change, so I usually incorporate my exercising gear into my workwear on exercise days. The girls at Sweaty Betty always asked me "how do you manage to look great coming here straight from work, work out, and go out afterwards?" This has inspired me to produce an everyday lookbook to illustrate my passion in fashion, understanding their brand and their philosophy, and of course, my skills in graphic design.

The challenge
This project had a very tight time frame and resources are limited – from concept to finished production, I managed to complete all this in just 5 days!

Outfit Testsheet & Bible for Photoshoot

Day One: The Concept
• Creative & Art Direction and Concept Development – A6 20pp perfect bound mini lookbook
• Pagination Layout – 6 Themes/12 Outfits
• Fashion styling & testshots

The idea of this Everyday Lookbook is an additional marketing material on top of its seasonal catalogue. This lookbook will be a great marketing campaign to encourage addition sales beyond customers who purchase Sweaty Betty merchandise only for exercising. I've gained significant knowledge of their target customers from observations whilst shopping and attending their weekly in-store classes throughout the years. I thought to create the "Sweaty Betty Girl" – a day in life, what would she be doing? What is her lifestyle?

After some 48 outfits and over 96 combinations, I've nailed down to 12 outfits for the six lifestyle and exercise types.

The six themes comprising:

1. Something for the weekend – Boxercise
2. Beyond the nine-to-five – Pilates
3. Let's go shopping – Yoga
4. A romantic date – Yoga
5. Night out with the girls – Dance
6. Art gallery opening – Running

I needed to hold back on the styling from being too editorial looking, after all, this is an everyday lookbook. Creating this initial styling testshot was important for me to see what works and what doesn't. If you have eagle eyes, you will notice some accessories changes in the final lookbook.

Printed sheets ready to create signatures

Day Two: The Production
• Research on bookbinding
• Sourcing bookbinding, knitting & printing material
• Gathering all materials/outfits needed for photoshoot
• Copywriting 

I have created numerous mock-ups during my education at Ontario Colledge of Art and Design (OCAD) despite I was majored in Packaging Design, surprisingly, there was never an opportunity to fabricate a perfect bound book. Many thanks to the internet and forum like Craftster and YouTube, I was able to learn sewing signatures and the art of bookbinding.

I went to Shepherds Bookbinders (76 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AR ☎ 020 7831 1151), for all the bookbinding materials. I show their staff and my printing material and they were very knowledgeable and helpful to advise me on ideas and materials I need for the project.

Err... copywriting is my nightmare, I was never good at writing – I express visually. Actually, writing for this lookbook wasn't too difficult at all as it was mostly inspired from personal experiences.

Running on the Broadwalk of Brighton

Day Three: The Brighton Photoshoot 
• Make-up & Hair
• Train to Brighton
• Location scouting
• Photoshoot
• Select testshot images & audience feedback

I originally wanted to have the photoshoot around London Fields, Broadway Market and the Regent's Canal, after consulting with my friend Laura Kirkke (she's an amazing artisté, illustrator and photographer, check her out!) who photographed all images used in the lookbook, Brighton seems to be a more suitable location. This is a time I wish my sister was in London (she's a brilliant hair and makeup artist – check her out here). I had to set my hair, do my own make-up, packed all outfits and took the train down to Brighton.

It was a sunny hot day in Brighton, we used Laura's studio as a base for changing the looks and re-styling on hair and make-up. We shoot both outdoors and inside the studio and managed to complete the shoot before dusk. Then we went through the entire film and highlighted the ones we've liked, burned images onto disk and I head back to London.

Sample page layout from lookbook

Day Four: The Design
• Final decision on selecting images
• Digital imaging & retouching photos where necessary
• Design and layout of lookbook
• Outwork for proofreading

After collecting feedback on images, I finalised the images and retouched any where necessary. Finally, design layout time! The lookbook is finally coming together. Lastly, I sent to my journalist friend Zara for proofreading. Tomorrow will be finishing day.

Finished perfect bound Lookbooks

Day Five: The Finishing
• Print production with home printer
• Trim, score, sew & bind
• Knit mini bag & sew on StayStylish label
• Create digital lookbook where links products to website
• Create application website

I had to make a few copies of the book, for the purpose of testing, screw-ups and practising sewing signatures and the binding. In additional to the lookbook, I also knitted a mini version of the yoga bag I knitted featured in the lookbook. The lookbook will go into the knitted bag, complete with my little StayStylish label. To demonstrate my creativity in marketing, I have also created an interactive e-book, where one can click on the product and directly link to their website and purchase. Finally, to accompany to my application, I have also created a website where their HR department can download my covering letter, CV, link to e-book and online portfolio.

Detailed look at the mini spines of the book

Day Six: The Delivery
• Finalise CV, covering letter, email application digitally
• Travel across the city to deliver application package in person to head office

Finished Lookbook with knitted bag

Outcome & Experience 
By going the extra mile, Sweaty Betty was very impressed with the hand bound lookbook and the amount of work I have put into, it was definitely the most creative job application they have ever received to date. This has landed me an interview, but unfortunately I was not hired for the job due to my portfolio being "too diverse" (I never understand why this is always a set back when I look for work in the UK!), "too corporate" and lack of fashion graphic design experience.

It was heartbreaking that I didn't get the job. To add more to the injury, a fortnight after my submission, they held a streetstyle photo contest on Facebook where followers send in their photos of them mixing Sweaty Betty merchandise and streetwear! Since my submission, they have also started to create online catalogues similar to my e-book. Err!

Despite all, I am very proud of this project: art direction, styling, hair & make-up, modelling, lookbook concept, design, production, finishing and copy were all done by myself. This not only makes a great portfolio piece and a design story, I fell in love with bookbinding.

For testshots and more photos from this project, please see my Flickr set.

Click here to view the final lookbook.

What do you think? Have you ever gone the extra mile for an job application? How did it turned out? How do you protect your ideas?

Film: Coco Avant Chanel *****

It’s Kirsty’s birthday today. Everyone forgot to make or bring their Spanish themed dish for the lunch party we were hosting for her. I was the only one who brought a dish – Gazpacho (will post recipe tomorrow). So, boss decided we all go out for lunch instead. We went to the local café, which serves both English and Thai food. The owner Richard is English, they make excellent builder breakfast and a good strong cuppa, his wife is Thai, and she makes authentic delicious Thai curries. The lunch was good, but I was quite annoyed that it has totally blown my budget for the week with the present, my hour off for not working and ingredients to make the gazpacho for the entire office.

I had to waste time at Westfield before going to the Barbican screening for “Coco avant Chanel” at 20:45. Bad idea. Sales on and not feeling great = retail therapy. To pay respect to Chanel screening, I dressed up Chanel-esque – I had my hair up, red lipa ¾ sleeve thin black and white striped bodycon dress, a black and gold Chanel like tweed jacket and loads of pearls. As I was walking through the mall, I had one of those Carrie Bradshaw moments where one of the strands of the pearl broke. I froze as I watched the faux pearls scattered to the floor like heavy raindrops. It was a tragically beautiful moment. Not quite sure what to do, I was too embarrassed to get on all fours to collect the pearls, the lady next to me who witnessed it not sure what to do neither. She smiled at me as I said, “so… that’s that.” I managed to savage some of the pearls left on the necklace, good thing that I make jewellery I can get extra to make and re-chain it.



***** France. 105 min. Colour 2008. Directed by Anne Fontaine.

01.03.08.09 @ 8:45 pm The Babican Cinema 1 E13.

I arrived just in time at the Barbican as I was a bit late and had to find where Cinema 1 was, it’s a maze that place. The theatre was pretty full, mostly women of course, the Trojan gays, and a few who got dragged along by their girlfriends. The film was absolutely stunning! I’m not saying it because I love French films and Audrey Tautou. The clothes, ahhh the clothes in the film were just stunning, even the young Gabrielle Chanel’s crochet shoulder cape she wore at the orphanage was carefully designed. And of course, Stephen Jones designed all the hats in the film, including Chanel’s first millinery shop. I loved the story of Gabrielle, especially the tragic love affair between Coco and Arthur "Boy" Capel and how she transformed to Coco Chanel. The ending was a bit rushed I thought, everything was quite slow moving leading up to Capel’s car accident then she suddenly she was rolling out fabrics and next thing you know there were models coming off stairs for a fashion show. I must admit too, the models and their hair and make-up were too modern looking. I thought the film was well captured on how she has developed her own sense of style, how she revolutionise fashion in France and the major inspirations to her signature key looks: the Chanel jacket, the stripes, the signature Peter Pan collar black and white dress and of course, and of course, the LBD – the Little Black Dress.

The film made me wonder on the topic on love and marriage, as it was one of the occurring themes. Coco said, "the best part about love is the making love." She vowed that she would marry no one as her mother married because of love, who also later suicided because her father's infidelity and his abandonment of her and her siblings. In her society, marriage was to gain social status, real love was through love affairs. When a couple is in love, does the label of someone's "girlfriend" or "wife" matters? To me it does. Sure, love affair has the attraction of danger, thrill, lust, the unattainable love, the longing and all the other exciting bits. Marriage to me is sacred (I know, I'm old fashion), it's a life time commitment of love. Of course, one doesn't get married to get divorced but at the same time, one shouldn't married for financial and social status gain. Is marriage just a business contract?

One day I'll sleep

I've been insomniac for about two weeks now, or if I finally can sleep I get awaken easily then have trouble falling back to sleep again. Last night, I was so tired after leaving Kirsty's birthday drink but as soon I laid in my bed, I was wide awake until 5:40am after watching the last of "How I Met Your Mother" and many episodes of "30 Rock".

I don't feel present for the past few weeks, my head was elsewhere during work (it's been quite boring anyway but good thing work is slowly flowing in), I haven't run for ages, I've even lost interest in my religious Body Blast.

At yoga, I found myself hard to concentrate although the meditations helped me a lot and I felt much cleansed afterwards. I hope the regular yoga teacher comes back soon, she was more intense. I quite enjoyed the London Bridge one, Norman, but his class was a bit more physically demanding and it's a different type of yoga than I'm used to.

I need something inspiring and exciting.

I had a good day today though, made some bacon and eggs for breakfast with toast and my perfect cup of cappuccino made from my favourite Italian Moka Press – complete with foamed hot milk and sprinkling of cocoa and cinnamon. Then I cleaned my room a bit, have to seriously sort out my closet, did about half and gave up. It was surprisingly sunny today, thought it was a waste to spend indoors cleaning – okay, so it was really procrastination – I grabbed my tartan picnic mat and went to the park to finish reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. I thought it was an appropriate book when I took it along to my trip to Budapest, though the book was set in Germany but it was based on the Second World War and the Holocaust. It was a lovely story, I had to hold back my tears a bit towards the end. I always enjoy reading the last bit of a novel the most, and how you let out a big sigh after finish reading the last sentence of the book. Wonder what I should read next?

It's pretty late now, I should attempt to go to bed. I had some Valarian tea, I feel tired but not sleepy. Tomorrow I shall go to the Barbican and will be watching "Coco Before Chanel", I'm quite excited and been looking forward for this film for a while.

Nite. x

Cooking: Life's Little Luxury

As most of you know, I love food. Nothing is better than a simple yet luxurious brunch on a late Sunday morning. Scrambled eggs with truffles served on buttered toast. Simple, honest yet luxurious. It's definitely life's little luxury.



Truffles I bought from the Central Market in Budapest.



Shave a few pieces of truffle into 2 beaten eggs and a dash of milk and then a dash of cream. This is not the time to be skimp on the cream here, live a little, be Nigella! Season a little here if you wish, or you can do so later. Melt butter in heated pan over medium heat, pour egg mixture into pan, swirl around with spatula. Don't over cook it as the heat in pan and egg will continue cooking when you plate it.



Served over some buttered toast and voilà!

Wait, has anyone seen my Sunday crosswords?

Old Lover, Office & Flatmates Massacre

It's been a shit week.

It all started in the weekend when I met him for lunch and then it all went downhill from there. I don't know what it was, I didn't have good vibes from him for the past week. I'm hoping it was his work related stress and not because he didn't want to see me. I pushed slightly on the subject on he slots me in again for being his last stop before going home and his "last minuteness" – again, I'm being the "tag on". It's not going to change is it? Seriously, why do I even bother? I'm contemplating on ending the friendship again.

At work, I had to deal with demanding annoying clients (aren't they always the case?), it was too busy, work has called in extra help to ease my work load. I've been so overwhelmed with my own thoughts, I couldn't be creative, I just wanted to do my brain-dead artworking tasks without dealing with other people. On top of all, my colleague decided to listen to HEART FM ALL WEEK!!! I decided to be anti-social and wore my headphones to listen to my normal LBC talk radio. Ugh!

The night of the office massacre climax, Nat broke my port glass. I've only used them once. A pair, now just one left. I've lost it. I admit that I took it out on her a bit, I shouted at her, I completely lost my cool. "It's not my fault." Then who's is it? So it's MY fault that I like buying nice things for my flatmates to break? Money wasn't the issue here, the items were irreplaceable anyway, it's the fact that she's NEVER made any attempt to replace the things she's broke of mine. It's a matter of principle.

I met up with an old lover last night, he was in town on tour. I showed up to the venue unannounced, he was surprised to see me as he didn't know I was still living in London. He's still fat, he aged a bit, still crazy, still my monkey yet still married. We went for dinner at a Vietnamese place in Camden (surprisingly good and decently priced). He thought I looked fit. We reminisced our past meetings and such, he told me he's a lot different now. I questioned if he's more domestic, and if any kids are on the way. He choked. He asked if I have a boyfriend. He couldn't see any reason why I'm still single. Post dinner, he had things to do before the show, so I let him be. The show was great, high energy and the venue was packed, the crowd was rough but they were into it. We made plans to meet up afterwards as he planned to party out but my friend and I couldn't wait around. Waiting around is lame enough, it was a bit cold, I was still feeling shitty and had to work the next day. I was rude and left without saying goodbye.

Had the mistake of coming home instead of going to Oxford to see him again. I was still feeling foul and couldn't be bothered dragging myself all the way up to Oxford to wait around again, so I thought perhaps to treat myself with some retail therapy and a nice dinner – a big fat steak with frîtes and aöli followed by Gü chocolate pod. Yum. I was hoping to be alone, but the other flatmate was home, so I went out for a run instead. As I came back and started to prepare dinner, she confronted me about the other night about the port glass. She addressed that what I said to Nat was inappropriate. I said it wasn't her first time breaking my things and not attempting to replace them. She said it was no one's fault, she just opened the door, and said it could have been her own fault as she pushed the other cups to the side. Fine, it's no one's fault but mine because I bought the glass and no matter how you calculate, I'm still at loss here (Eckhart Tolle wouldn't be pleased – I'm re-reading A New Earth again, I just read the chapter on possession and ego... aghhhhh). She also said that I have no right to make Nat feel uncomfortable in her own home, as if they have the right to break my things and making me uncomfortable in my own home too. She has spoiled my appetite. I stormed up to my room and cried and cried and cried...

I hate living with people, I've never lived with other people before until I've moved to London. I know I'm quite uptight about having things a certain way, I like buying nice things and kitchen gadgets and my absolute hatred of mould. I can't wait to buy my own place, hopefully I can do so by the end of the year.

I'm hungry, I want my steak.

I saw her...

For the first time, I saw her face to face... she is beyond oatmeal, just as ugly as her pictures.

I look damn hott, I won hands down.

Fuck it! His lost.

Life: Fucking Toronto Streetcar Tracks! Damn you!!!!

So i've been in Canada for a week now. It went by pretty quick. My flight was a bit of a nightmare, after my long bus ride overnight to Heathrow to find out that my flight was delayed 2 hours. I had an annoying couple sitting beside me, okay, they were actually nice but one of those who really wants a conversation but having no sleep at all the night before, i just wanted to sleep. The husband also had to get up every hour to the loo, once i get into Toronto 2 hours later than expected, i slept the entire day/night. Good thing we've pushed Thanksgiving dinner til the day after.

Our infamous Orphans' Thanksgiving Cycle 6 was pretty good. We made our usual apple/leek stuffing, we had procuitto wrapped caramlised figs for starters, butternut squash soup with coconut and lime, a roasted chestnut wild rice pilaf with promegrante, watercress salad with maple carmalised walnuts, blue cheese and figs. We had a 12 lbs roasted turkey with sage, along with French green beans with caramlised shallots. Of course, last but not least, i made my marriage-proposing infamous apple pie! I try to change it up a bit every year, this year i put a bit of herb de province in it.

The week went by quickly, i pretty much ran out of things to do including my favourite vintage shops (the owners remembered me, and asked why i haven't been to their stores, can still manage to get my usual discount). Also went to book sale at University College, Dance Cave on Friday and got hit on by 12 year olds! Went to visit my old work. Everything is expensive now except for eating out. Did manage to have a list of food stuff checked off my list so far:

• Goldstone - Chinese BBQ - Roasted Duck and Rice
• Sushi on Bloor - Sushi pizza, seaweed salad, crunchy roll, shitake tempura
• Thumbs Up - Korean Pork Bone Soup
• Future's Cafe - Cheesecakes!
• Saving Grace - My favourite brunch place despite we waited 1.5 hours before we got seated, it was worth it.

On Monday, i bought a bike off Craigslist. She is beautiful, hot pink folding shopper/cruiser much like my Bianca in London but bigger. Her tires were a bit flat and the gears need a tune up, she was only $100 CDN. I named her Beyoncè.

The week i first landed the weather was lovely, it was in early 20s, mid 10s. The weekend got a lot colder this week, and blimey, it even snowed today!! This afternoon, I rode about 10 mins my hands were freezing. The wind was so vicious, i might as well cycle backwards. It fell to -2C. Like WTF??

Tonight, as i was going to meet a friend at Horseshoe to see White Lies (they were playing in a tiny tiny venue here for free instead of sold out shows in London), i had a bike accident. My wheel got stuck with the streetcar (cable car) tracks and lost my balance and i wiped out BIG TIME. Good thing there wasn't any traffic at the time. A cyclist couple immediately came to my rescue. I forgot how nice Canadians were! A worker from American Apparel saw what happened and was accommodating enough to let me into the store offered me some water, to use the phone and to keep warm whilst i waited for my friend to pick me up. I'm okay but pretty hurt, scrapped both my knees (one was already injured in the summer from the attack), will be limping for the next couple of days, also i would definitely need to see a dentist ASAP. Wonder if my travel insurance will cover? My right side of the lip is pretty swollen too, totally sexy. People cycle differently here compared to London, i was applying my London cycling knowledge but totally forgot about those damn TTC Streetcar tracks which was the exact fit to my wheel which i was also getting used to my new bike. I guess no ballet tomorrow night.

I hate to be back, it does not feel like home any more.
Miss you all.
x

ps. Pasta Hut is still Pizza Hut here, so far.

This is it.

Enough.

Life: Pain, pain, and more pain...

I made it out to the house today, I had to go into work and work was willing to pay for a taxi to and from my house. It was a bit of a stressful day but it was nice to be out.

In advice from my colleague, we put some antiseptic cream and breathable bandage on my wounds. She swears it'll keep all the germs away and pushes all the bad stuff out. It was all fine until I got home, the bigger wound on the right ankle started to really hurt, the pain was so intolerable I couldn't walk but just sat and cried for two hours. I decided to take a peek to the hurting wound to find that it became red and swollen. I quickly tried to look up on the interweb, most of the sites said it might be infected. The cut near my baby toe on the same feet started to feel numb and hurt as well. I was completely freaked out that I might have an infection, so I texted my flatmate if she can accompany me to the GP tomorrow.

I decided to peel all of the bandages off, my right foot feels better, and swollen bits have gone down and it's not as red as before. Still in much pain though, if pain persists tomorrow, I'm definitely going to see the doctor.

Life: I don't believe in being brave

Where does one start to cope? I couldn't sleep for days, every time I closed my eyes, I saw those hand covering my face. I feel really alone. My flatmates haven't been home much, and I don't dare to ask people for company. My sister didn't even care. No more follow up email from the one I wanted to hear the most, it's rather heartbreaking.

I'm recovering slowly physically, a bit more mobile without cuts breaking and bleeding has stop. Just a case of ugly oozing of white puss now. Some of the cuts still hurts greatly. I'm such a wimp. Bruises are settling in, lots more pain has emerged mainly from the right side of the body.

I haven't stepped out of the house since Sunday, I made it to the gate to get the mail today but I was hoping my personal alarm has arrived, it hasn't. I still feel violated and bummed out by the assault. How dare they! They don't have any rights to do that, I wish karma will catch up on those little thugs.

Today is my last day to be home, I've been working from home, which is a good thing. It gives me something to focus on. Work is willing to pay for me to go to work tomorrow by taxi. The idea of stepping out of the house is still daunting. I have the mental image of the two thugs looking out for me, "we didn't get that bitch last time, we'll get her this time!" But if I don't work, I don't get paid, even I can't bring myself to step out of the house right now, reality sometimes is a bitch isn't it?

Life: The society we live in

I was attacked today just outside the courtyard of my flat in broad daylight. 7:30 pm, the sun was shinning and all. For some reason i turned off my ipod crossing the road, and i stuffed it inside my bra. I was wearing a summer dress, didn't have pockets, too lazy to unzip and put it in my bag. But I couldn't hear anyone coming. I'm quite sure i wasn't followed, coz i always turn around and looked. But definitely less guarded since it was broad daylight. Anyway, I was grabbed from behind, the guy covered my mouth and nose, at first i thought it was my friend Jo playing with me, coz we were suppose to meet in the park to hang out. But then i saw the hands were black, i thought oh shit, first thing i thought it would be rape but they started pulling my bag. i wouldn't let go of my bag, they dragged me for a couple feet, i still wouldn't let go of my bag and my shoppings. I couldn't see them, but i knew one was tall from the way he grabbed me, and i only saw him in black tee and jeans, but i knew there was another guy coz they were talking "let go of the bag, bitch". I had my head down trying to have my arms over my face in case they started punching me, i shouted and shouted still holding on to my bags, then a neighbour came out to the balcony and saw, so she started shouted at them, the kids let me go and ran away.

Nothing was stolen, but my poor brand new Liberty patent leather bag was ripped to bits and totally destroyed.

Police and paramedics came, i'm not majorly hurt but quite scratched up and cuts mostly on knees and elbows, lots of bleeding and puss still, a bunch of hair got ripped out, still pretty much in shock. Can't bear the thought of going outside of my house right now, not that i can walk for now... My flatmate talked to the witnessing neighbour, she said it was 2 black guys, prolly in their teens, one short, one tall, can't make out of their faces coz it was too far.

Looking back and what the police said was right, i should have let the bag go, and the fact that i haven't any cash in my purse and nothing expensive other than my camera, phone (phone is cheap these days) and the bag itself. I should considered myself very lucky that they didn't have a knife nor a gun. I'm okay, still shaken up, but too scared to sleep right now. Can't believe i got mugged, it was broad daylight!!!

The Aftermath...

Oh dear.

Life: Internet Detox

So i've been on hiatus, well as my friend Nick would call it "Internet Detox" -- off all interweb social network -- I quite like it not haven't spending so much time on the internet and have more time enjoying the weather, doing things, seeing things, and going somewhere.

I got sucked back to myspace because i had to log-on to view some photos of me from a profile so I've slight return to myspace but haven't decided if i shall return to Facebook yet. Facebook is too much for me to handle at the moment. One day i shall return...

Despite, I've been much of a recluse, been going to lots of fashion parties and met some amazing people. Much looking forward to Cambridge for the long weekend.

Life: Jobbing Frustration

I feel a bit calmer and decided to put my mind off things and focus on finding work. It was hard to motivate myself and he's right, i need to sort out my life first. Luckily I have a "Power Jobbing" buddy (as we coin the term) to support and motivate each other, and to go over each other's cover letters and such. It's been productive.

I give up on applying through agencies. Last week, I applied for a position immediately upon getting a notify email about the new job posting, 10 seconds after i pressed the send button, I got a rejection email! I was furious. Have they even looked at my CV? Hello???

This week, I have decided to cold call companies to send them my CV. I am going through the 2007 DesignWeek Top 100 Design Firms in the UK, and I am going to send each and every company listed on there my CV. I have send out my CV to the Top 10 Branding/Packaging Agencies, except for Pearlfisher coz i have inside scoop that they've just downsized a bunch of people. I immediately got one rejection by Springetts, they only recruit fresh graduates and to have their career grows in the company. What kind of company is that? That's just taking advantage of cheap labour because they were fresh off school!

On a side of a bit of good news, as I've already mentioned in my previous entry, I had an excellent interview last week with Octagon, I should hear back from them in the next few days should I made the 2nd round of the interview. Fingers crossed. At the meantime, I shall continue cold calling and sending my CV to those 100 agencies. I don't believe I won't get one response from any of them!! Seriously, I don't think my portfolio sucks that bad!?!?!?! ERRRRR!!!!!

ps. Also, i've received my TrustedPlaces card today in the mail. Ahoy for 2 for 1 or 50% off meals!!

Life: All Too Familiar!

It was difficult time for me to pull myself together two months ago. With encouragement from my friends, I've decided to stay and give London a go. Things were looking positive for a while, made some great new friends, Great Escape experience was excellent, a budding romance but it seems I'm back to square one again. Still struggling to find a job, and the littlest excitement i've had has gone down the drain as well...

I really thought things will finally start to look up again last week. After sending 90 job applications, I finally had an interview last Thursday, not only that, it was also the position I wanted the most. It was with an international PR/Marketing company called Octagon. The interview went pretty well, i was there for almost an hour. The girl at the interview shared the same background as me as she was on Holidaymaker initially from Australia. We had similar design background as well, hopefully she'll emphasised with me. I should hear back from them this week if i made the 2nd cut or not. Fingers crossed.

Been casually seeing someone as well, i was hesitant at first but thought to give it a chance. He's honest (too honest?) and he makes me laugh. I enjoyed spending time with him very much even though we don't see each other too often. I was very excited about it, even though we're nothing serious I've started to grown to know and care for him. Thought things were going well as we had discussed a week before but it took an unexpected turn this weekend. Ironically we went to the same places we've started on our one month. Okay, so it's not a very long time but it is for relationship phobes. I haven't been in any for a very, very, very long time even though i've dated people in between. I was fine with us being casual.. i didn't think we were rushing into anything nor have i forced us to be in a relationship, he just wanted us to be "friends" for now, so i dunno. I just dealt with the ordeal of the whole "just friends" bullshite for the past 2 years with another guy. One minute we're "just friends" the next we're "more than friends" to being "not friends". I'm not a light switch, i can't just flick my feelings back and forth, it's totally mind fucking! I really hate being dick around like that and the other guy was never honest with me. It's these fuckers that made me relationship phobe!

To be honest, i didn't expected to be this upset about it, but if i haven't any feelings for him, i wouldn't be upset right now would i? I'm not sure where we'll go from here... we're both not ready to take the next steps but can we go backwards? he said he doesn't want to add more complication to my life right now, having said that but being this upset doesn't do any good to it neither. I'm not sure what to do really...

Contemplating of going to Tack!Tack!Tack! tonight, a friend isn't feeling well so she backed out... but I'm not sure if i want to be home alone at this point, I'll just be crying my eyes out...

I'm going to be bad, i'm going downstairs and buy some Fanta..

Sighting: Luna Eclipse

Luna Eclipse - Saturday, 3rd March, 2007


Londoners queuing up on The Strand trying to catch a glimpse of the rare Luna Eclipse

Niki and I met up at Harrods, and we walked to V&A hoping to see the newly opened Kylie Exhibition. We got there too late, all the tickets of the day for the exhibition was sold out. We just browsed around the permanent collection until it was time to meet up with her friends at the ICA.

After the museum, we went for tea and a sit down gossip on Knightsbridge. We walked to ICAsince we had time to kill. We had dinner there after we purchase our tickets for "The Bridge". A critically acclaimed documentary about suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge. The documentary left us quite uneasy.

After the film, we decided to go to The Strand for a pint. As we were walking, Niki and I couldn't help noticing the moon looked different tonight. Then we saw people queuing up, so we asked what it was about. Turned out that it was a luna eclipse and everyone is trying to look at it in between the buildings. We joined and looked for a while. Niki's friends said goodbye. I was still quite excited about the eclipse as I've never seen it before. I wanted to share this moment with someone, so I txted Mike. Surprisingly, he replied quickly. He was packing for his conference in Colorado. Niki and I went for a pint at the pub and chatted more afterwards.

New Year's Resolutions

Why do people make them when they don't follow them anyway? I make them to keep me sane throughout the year, i do honestly try to work on them except for one last year (lateness). So that particular one would get carried over to this year's list. I love making lists, maybe i should become a virgo! Nah..

1. Be on time (hmm.. this seems to be the one keeps recurring years after years)
2. Be better at writing & read more.
3. Keep being better at my finances.
4. Be motivated and inspired. Stop being lazy. Stop delaying lauching the site and line. Competition is calling! and be better with the couture clients.
5. Keeping up my French and Swedish.
6. Lose 5-10 lbs. Eat more healthily.
7. Be more patience to my mother and to people who annoys me.

Survival for the Fittest

Gah! Some girl from San Francisco just called me, first of all, pronouncing my name wrong (my 3rd biggest pet peeve). 2ndly, those idiots are running 2 months ad with the wrong URL (they're really .net and i am .com) Gahh.. i've had this domain more than 7 years!!!!!! She asked if i'm willing to sell my domain too.. i shoulda bought .net too!!

They are in the same line of business (but with a much uglier site), but they're more focus on handbags (which i have as well) she asked me if i would refer the clients to her site since they're practically advertising my site for free for the next 2 months? Or should i take advantage of this and have my on-line store ready?