Left & Right is probably one of my favourite Borneo jewellery makers because they really are one of kind and the founders are the most genuine people you would ever meet. I feel like they are incapable of being mean, only positivity runs through their bloodstream and they will go above and beyond in serving you. Legit 5 star service commitment!
​

They recently collaborated with a kebaya designer and demonstrated the many wears you could dawn both the pieces together (kebaya & jewellery). I'm not sure if you guys know it, but my family's origins are boba nyonya (chinese peranakan), so I have a few kebayas myself and I've always thought that kebayas are really elegant and beautifully crafted. 

​The Left & Right atelier is unlike any other. The house itself really has character and rustic qualities, every angle is instaworthy. If you're from Kuching, you should definitely pay it a visit.

The only thing I can claim credit for it the table deco.
I had a bomb putting it together and part of felt like becoming a party-table-decorater (if there is such a job).
​

If you haven't seen their beautiful jewellery pieces,
you should check them out.
It's simple, beautiful and easy to wear either on a daily basis or as signature pieces.
Plus,
they're like the new trendy place to get bespoke engagement rings. *HINT HINT*

xo
​Joyce

I've spent the entire month of June bundled in a fleece in this zero-degree (slight exaggeration) weather. Although I've spent a good amount of time studying in Melbourne prior to my return to the city-where-dreams-are-made-of (read: Kuching), I never accustomed myself to the cold. I went from singlets, crops tops and sun dresses to WHERE IS MY THERMALS/HEAT TECH?! 

On that note: If you are travelling to colder climates and refuse to look like a polar bear, give the UNIQLO heat tech a try. They're fairly affordable and definitely are on par for warmth as the traditional thermals. Plus, with the heat tech, you won't be sweating or gasping for air in indoor heating. It adapts! Like an educated individual to their surrounding. 

---

Back to June 'Favourites', I compiled a list of things I really enjoyed. Some fashion, makeup, events; the whole shenanigan!
Let's begin.



​1. Flared Pants

​I thing I'm pretty late on the 'tailored-pants' wagon because I think I own like 2 in my entire closet of denim, denim and more denim. I do see the difference between fitted pants and my usual skinny jeans because it is insanely flattering, just make sure you try them on and that they fit you like a glove. The worst thing you could do with fitted pants is to buy a pair that does not fit.
COMPLETELY DISRUPTING IT'S ONE SOLE PURPOSE - TO FIT.


​2. White Jeans ( love the ruffles on the hem)

If I had to pick a favourite colour it would have to be white. I love the look of white on white, though Aaron would always ask me if we're heading to the Hamptons. I got this pair of white jeans from the TOPSHOP AU closing down sale at Emporium. It cost like 30 bucks.

STEAL! It's a harder denim so the shape holds, which I love. Photographs like a dream too, so definitely no complains.



​
3. OUAI Wave Spray

I learned about OUAI Haircare (@theOUAI)  from watching Jenn Im (Clothesencounters) /one of my personal favourite youtubers. After doing my own thorough research (forgive me I'm Asian), I found out that OUAI Haircare's founder and creator is Jen Atkin (@jenatkinhair), a celebrity Hairstylist, that does the Kardashians hair and many other A listers. 

I have really fine straight hair, so this wave spray does wonders in giving my hair some body/ volume without frizz or clumpy tangles. I will not succumb to the back-combing trend, not my thing. My sister has the OUAI hair oil that smells like roses and it's super nourishing without being overly oily. 

If you're interested to give it a try, it's available at Sephora. I'm saving up for the Texturising spray next!

​

4. LBD
​

The Little Black Dress.
Everyone needs a little black dress, I just happen to have like 5 or more. Black isn't my favourite colour and I often try my best to avoid wearing it but there's something that always lures me back. I guess with lbd(s), the cutting of the dress is the most important.

The dress above I got from an Australian brand, MOSSMAN. This trip I added another piece to the collection, from SABA. The best thing about Australian seasons is the constant end of season sale. So that's when I creep out of my room and proceed to shop.


5. Rimmel Trio Sculpting Kit x Kate Moss
​

Been on the lookout for a good contour shade that wouldn't cost an arm, I love Benefit's Hoola but I wanted to see if I could find something similar at the fraction of the price and I found it!

The contour shade in this kit is neutral enough for my skin tone, without making me look ashy of dirty. Plus the additional coral blush with some faint shimmer that makes me look like my skin is glowing even when sometimes it really isn't.

Great buy!
Hope they have this back in Malaysia or else I'm going to have to head to Priceline to restock of somemore.



6. Favourite Memory
​ ( An insane night out with community)

Church community here has really grown to become family over the years. We work through life together, through thick and thin; We ask tough life questions and help each other grow on faith. However, one of this months favourite memory was when we all decided to head out for Pris's 21st and Kel's farewell. It was the hardest I've ever partied in my life. Period.

We danced for like 3 hours, this group of Asians with unwavering energy. I can't even remember the name of the bar we went to, nor do I remember half the things we said or did. It was just 5 hours of good solid and in fact, clean, fun.

I think I'd like to shed further light on the whole partying/drinking alcohol topic. I believe that when your intentions are clear, you're not drinking to get piss drunk to do regrettable things, I believe that there really is nothing wrong. At our age, (adult-ing age), you really should be old enough to make your own decisions without people having to bark down your throat; at the same time it's good to stop doing silly things that give people a reason to bark down your throat.

Have fun, live your life.
Responsibly.



​7. Favourite costume

My younger sister turned 21 and we all threw her a huge costume surprise Party. Everyone had to dress up as something that starts with the letter P... thus the creative costume above. I tried to go as Paris Hilton but it semi-failed because I couldn't find a proper blonde wig, mine had pigtails.

Anyways, my 6 weeks in Melbourne is coming to an end and I'm honestly quite geared up to head home. This trip was a great reminder of how beautiful and meaningful life in Melbourne has been; but it also reconfirmed my love of Kuching, my home. I guess everyone finds footing at different places for different seasons.

--

"He makes all things beautiful, in His time."

​

It's probably safe to say that most of us enjoy dressing up once in awhile. Having been rather tomboy-ish most of my life, my mother will vouch for me on this, I remember fighting with my mum every time she told me to put on something 'nice'.

'Nice' usually meant a skirt, or a blouse. She used to handmade smocking dresses for my sister and I when we were little. I refused to wear them, unless I was forced to.

But then I grew up.
With age, my likings and disliking(s) changed too.

I can still vaguely remember the first time I made the conscious decision to dress in something a little more girly. 12-year-old me, wore nothing but oversized swimming Tees and micro shorts.

I had this one pair of shorts that were super boxy and hard in terms of material. Mum used to joke that it could stand by itself. Really wish I had a picture of it but I think my mum threw it away the moment she had the chance to.

But back to the turning point of my non-existent fashion-sense life...

It could've been a boy (or not),
but I just wanted to feel girly.
So, I picked out a pale blue top with one flower right smack in the centre and I paired it with a skirt.

I felt so so self conscious coming down the stairs because I knew when my family saw me wearing a skirt, they would clap.

And yes.
​They did.

I think I've evolved quite a bit from those days. I started experimenting with makeup in college, and overtime developed my own style.
​

I think it's important to take time to figure out what works and what doesn't on your own body type. My figure is more athletic probably because of my sports background, but I'm rather small framed; so some things work better than others.


I have to admit, I wear a great deal of singlets, off the shoulder and spaghetti stripe tops. Not because i'm trying to dress indecently, stuff just fits my shoulders better and Kuching is just really hot.

Minimalist.
That's probably my ultimate goal.

I'm not big on accessorising, I always feel less is more. However, there are times you want to just do a full glam up...

Those days I'd probably sport a brighter lipstick or go crazy on the mascara... still skipping on the accessories.

Except for chokers.
everyone knows I'm borderline obsessed over chokers.

Ultimately, the crucial part of me finding my own sort of 'style' was definitely due to the confidence that came along with growing up. Being comfortable in your own skin, feeling beautiful (doesn't matter what others think), and just experimenting.

There were times I felt pressured to dress or look a certain way, but I realised that it is pointless to try to look or act like something you are not. Gets real tiring after awhile...
​

So if you were like me at some point,
trying to find your confidence or trying to fit in.

I would say as cliche as it sounds, there is something special about just being you. If you like to dress up then by all means, but if you're more laid back... that's cool too.

Once in awhile,
it's fun to just get all glam-ed up.
Not to prove a point or to show off,
just for yourself.

Give it a go!

xo
Joyce

URBAN LIFESTYLE & STREET CASUAL APPAREL
#tiptopbandit
​#dareyourself

I’ve always appreciated a good tee shirt.
Tees are  like the underrated item that legit everyone needs.
Doesn’t matter if you’re a guy or a girl. Especially so in Kuching.
​

  I’m not sure if its just me,
but I feel Kuchingnites generally don’t dress to kill.
We’re kinda laid back, girls don’t cake-face,
guys would rock up anywhere in gym clothes
​ or like ‘I-literally-woke-up-like-this hair’.
I’m not saying it’s necessarily a good or bad thing,
it’s just us.

 So a solid tee would be that perfect item.
​It’s like the ‘I-put-in-effort-but-not-too-much’ look. 

 Tip top bandit tees are just the right amount of urban street style
without going overboard  (a.k.a Kanye West).
They’re fashionable funky but also sophisticated enough to be worn
without your parents nagging you to change into something more appropriate. 
​

But what is more important is that TipTopBandit is a brand started by young people for young people.
The brand is currently based in KK, Sabah and are in the midst of branching out to other states.
It’s really encouraging seeing other local grown individuals striving towards a dream
​ and it’s important that we support that, we support them.


Here’s to the dreamers & their extremely comfortable tees!
LINKS
Instagram : @tiptopbandit

xo
​Joyce