Published on 9 June 2012
Remember i wrote about Benefit Cosmetics just recently? If you haven’t yet, read it *here* else you’ll be a bit lost what the brand is all about. To take the brand to new heights, Benefit shot a documentary film called Glamouriety. The movie shows how its vivacious founders Jean & Jane Ford grew up on an Indiana farm, took on modeling by storm in NYC, and how they started the global cosmetics brand to the cult it is today.
My invites to the premiere of Glamouriety in Shanghai
Some of the Benefit products i wore to the premiere that night. Missing from pic is Watt’s Up!
This was taken outside the Hyatt where we stayed, before heading to the event at The Peninsula, the most beautiful hotel in Shanghai. I decided to go for a bright pink cocktail dress from Gallo by Thian (i’m so sad to hear they’re closing down! i’ll never sell any of the clothes i got from them!) and fuchsia wedges from Topshop (that i got for my birthday)
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Published on 16 September 2010
First few things we did as new visitors to Shanghai,
was visit a couple of the tourist spots.
It’s one of those things which you do just so you can say, “Oh yes, i went there,” before graduating your way up to the more interesting hidey holes of the city.
My favourite picture of the day *cough* was this cat in the window.
It’s such a jolly cat!
I just stood there staring and laughing back at it.
I even continued laughing to myself when i looked back at the picture i took, while walking around the area.
Clem thought i was a bit crazy (but he knows that already).
We went to Yu Yuan Garden which was built in 1559..
I don’t usually do the whole perching on some rock and taking a touristy picture.
But don’t know why i succumbed to it this time.
Maybe i was thinking why not, who knows, maybe in twenty years time i can look back at a picture of myself sitting on a rock in china and have good memories.
Yes that would totally happen.
Of course Wilson didn’t miss out on the holiday.
He got a free flight.
We also went to the City God Temple that was built during the the Ming Dynasty (after 1403).
After the opening of Shanghai Port, merchants swarmed around the temple and surrounding areas and fostered a flourishing market. Today, the market around the temple is rebuilt into a large-scale tourist and shopping center of traditional Chinese features.
Dom, Clem, Serge
top, baci; floral leggings, copenhagen; scarf, vintage from london market
We separated a few times while walking around the temple.
Clem found me in a corner with rather gleeful look on my face…
… I found a fan. 
You have no idea how a fan will be your best friend in the stifling heat of a temple!
Here’s another picture of the fan because it was my favourite thing in the temple *blasphemy!*
Published on 13 September 2010
‘Twas my first time in China, and i thought it ironic:
1. i was going with a French family.
2. i couldn’t speak a single word of Mandarin to save any of us. 
Okay so i know a grand total of six words in Mandarin – ‘no’, ‘thank you’ and ‘i don’t know’.
Knowledge of 3 Mandarin phrases in China = Super Fail. *covers face with hands*
Random notes about Shanghai:
1. I LOVE THE FOOD
The one thing i was most excited about was being able to eat different types of Chinese food – Shanghainese, Hunan, Si Chuan – loved them all. So different from Malaysian Chinese dishes, and spicier too. I was really lucky to pick up an issue of TimeOut there, which happened to have a feature on Cheap Eats. The TimeOut team basically combed thru the city selecting the best places with a varied selection of yummy and affordable food. That issue became my bible when i was there and i carried it around EVERYWHERE. More posts to come JUST ABOUT FOOD later!
2. Taxi/MRT fare is cheap
Before i went to Shanghai, people were telling me that it’s expensive and i was expecting something like Copenhagen. So far, no other place beats Copenhagen in terms of price where a pack of gum in a 24-hour costs RM5. The way i judge whether a city is expensive is by observing prices of their petrol/transport, food, alcohol :p, rent, and basic amenities like mineral water, gum, etc. I don’t think Shanghai is expensive… getting around was incredibly cheap, with MRT/subway tickets costing RMB3 (RM1.50) a trip; and cab fares usually around RMB12-25 (RM6-13).
3. It’s really clean.
The roads were exceptionally clean, probably due to the World Expo going on. Occasionally i’d come across some smears of shit (sorry but there’s no kinder way to put it) on the pavement and i’d gingerly hop over it, inwardly screaming for my shoes.
4. Good luck finding someone who speaks English.
I probably came across one person daily who spoke English. Waiters, taxi drivers, store attendants, all don’t speak English. Most of the time, one person in a restaurant could speak English if you’re lucky. If i went to a Western restaurant there was no problem at all. All the Chinese people were really nice to us (but i told Clem i bet it’s because he’s white) because the ONE time i was alone and smilingly tried buying something in the pharmacy, the girl rolled her eyes at me and refused to try and understand my gestures. 
5. The city is massive.
I never thought of Shanghai as an ultra megalopolis till i went there. See for yourself! >
[Pix above taken by Clem, have to give credit, nanti the fellow say i steal his pics -_-]
We went to Cloud 9, a bar on the 87th floor of the Grand Hyatt with a spectacular 360 degrees view.
i’m wearing >
top; gift from mum
pants; h&m
shoes; kg
scarf; flea market
Clem + his mummy Dom
Serge + Dom
We also took long walks around the less commercial areas,
which were my favourite!
Lanes where no tourists ventured,
filled with colour,
locals going about doing their daily thing,
and clothes hanging everywhere.
People taking care of their old, and young. 
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Saw quite a few men (like the one above) who liked to walk around with their shirts hiked up above their tummies. 
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I really like the picture above for some reason.
The red and green garments sticking out yet blending in with its surroundings.
I wasn’t joking when i said clothes hung everywhere.
On strings tightened from one building to another,
on telephone wires,
below low rafters and roofs,
over shop entrances,
on chairs and parked bicycles,
heck, i even saw someone’s bed comforters hanging on the highway divider (wish i took a picture of that now!).
[click for larger view]
Spot the monkey!
They even go so far as to hang clothes in trees.
