30 October 2013

Scenes from Highway 1 - LA to San Francisco

Sharing with all of you some unforgettable scenes from our drive on Highway 1. We broke the journey into 3 days with night stops in Santa Barbara and Pacific Grove near Pebble Beach. They say a trip on 1 is a trip of a lifetime and I totally agree. The highlights of this trip I can conclude, are the elephant seals and the Lone Cyprus on Pebble Beach. They were spectacular!

 A stop over for lunch at Pismo Beach.  We had nice chowder and seafood platters at Brad's

Pismo Beach

One of the many gorgeous beaches on 1.. so deserted you can have the whole beach to yourself! 

There were so many of them, I wish I could bring one home and cuddle! 



We were ecstatic!


What an iconic view.. 

 We woke up on Pacific Grove to this view.. not a drag at all!

 This shot and a few below are almost like a painting, so surreal



 My favorite tree, the Lone Cyprus.  I didn't want to leave but I know it will outlive me and God's willing, I will see it again


If you have not done this drive up north or down south Highway 1 before, I would totally recommend it.  Take time to stop at all the small towns along the way, they are worth it.  We were unlucky because during the time we did this trip there was government shut down going on so, many parks and landmarks were closed.  Plan properly and you will have a time of your life.  

Share your highlight here if you've done this trip before, would love to hear them :)


:: Link Up ::

27 October 2013

Fight to Win!

Hello, everyone!  Hope everybody had a good break during the weekend.

Today's post is my tribute all breast cancer patients all over the world and I want to start by sharing with you this heart wrenching yet beautiful story of Angelo and Jennifer Merendino ...

In conjunction with October being breast cancer awareness month, there are many campaigns and events lined up everywhere in the world for this cause.  Pink ribbons are seen worn everywhere, schools organize pink day to raise fund, hospitals run free check up days and many more activities and programs for the plight to increase awareness on prevention and cure for breast cancer.

In the same quest, Bloomingdale's has launched a limited edition 'Fight To Win' tee by Aqua as part of its contribution and it is available throughout this month of October. $8 from the $24 retail price of every tee purchased will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This fabulously comfortable yet stylish looking tee is also available online so, if you feel like contributing to this good cause, go on, it is just a click away!    







:: Wearing ::

Fight to Win tee by Aqua @ Bloomingdales
Siwy  boyfriends jeans 
Christian Louboutin 'Bruges' shoes



Another way to do our part in the quest to find cure for world's number 1 women's killer is by re-pinning the message above, here and FOREO will donate $1 on your behalf for this cause.  Yes, it is as easy and as simple as that! Thank you for your contribution and lets spread the message of early detection and the importance to get checked regularly to all women out there and may one day we find cure to breast cancer!



*Don't forget to vote for me for the Top 50 Moms Who Blog About Beauty and Fashion here
Thank you!*


::Link Up::

Peacoats and Plaid



23 October 2013

LENA - A Collaboration

Hello, everyone! Hope the week has been treating you well, so far. This week, I would like to announce that Mrs Jack Of All Trades has started a collaboration with a Malaysian based jewellery designer, Jaslena Ahmad for LENA Jewellery and today I am honored to have Azlina Ali, former fashion stylist of a local fashion magazine in Malaysia to pen an introduction to this beautiful jewellery line and its designer, Enjoy!
xxx
Mrs C

“Someone who is fun-loving with a flair for fashion and love for beauty, yet has an intellectual side to him/her that understands and appreciates good design, quality and the “multi-taskingness” of each LENA Jewellery piece.”

If the profile fits you to a “T”, indeed you need not look any further for LENA Jewellery has spoken!
It is for one with a discerning style about her/him, possessing an acumen that can take the simplest piece to a fashionable high. As we seek versatility in our investments of treasured accessories, we naturally gravitate towards the designs by Malaysian Jaslena Ahmad, owner and creator at LENA Jewellery Hard-edged and infinitely classic, her creations have paired the treasures of semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals to create trendy wrap bracelets and necklaces; chunkily tasteful rings with sterling silver or 18k gold; the quiet elegance of pearl paired with a whimsical charm clasp. Wear it casual or formal and look like a million bucks, that is what LENA Jewellery has set herself up to be and we love it!

Jaslena Ahmad, designer and creator of LENA

This young company has steadily climbed the fashion foothold when they attained a commendable shout-out in the British Vogue magazine and, in 2012, was invited to exhibit at the Backstage Creations Celebrity Retreat of the Teen Choice Awards 2012. Jaslena, accepted with no expectations whatsoever; it could as easily fly as it could bomb. “Besides, I didn’t know what to expect”, she said of the event.
And fly she did, amongst the young Hollywood glitterati that included Justin Beiber, Jordin Sparks, Lucy Hale from the TV series Pretty Little Liars, Tia and Tamara Mowery of Tia &Tamara and singer Carly Rae Jepson, amongst others.

Singer Jordin Spark

 Actress Nikki Reed

 Actress Lucy Hale

 Actress Payton List

Actress Greer Grammer

“They had never seen anything like it before and were very surprised to learn that LENA had come all the way from Kuala Lumpur for the event,” Jaslena added.
Relating her most unbelievable moment, Jaslena said, “I was so preoccupied with what I was planning to tell them about LENA Jewellery that I didn’t recognize Adam Rodriguez (of CSI Miami) till AFTER he pulled me in for a photo before leaving the stand”. She then tweeted: Adam Rodriguez just gave me a hug. *swoon*.



Jaslena with Adam Rodriguez
 Funnyman Kevin Hart

Actor Keegan Allen

LENA began just over five years ago.  Previously dabbling but never seriously considering, Jaslena was all too pre-occupied plying the corporate route with extensive travels that was matched with extended hours.  It wasn’t a life she wanted when motherhood took over.
“I couldn’t juggle and be good at both. Children are important and more specifically during their formative years,” she said.

 Jaslena with Tia and Tamera

Singer Carly Rae Japsen wearing one of LENA's

The restless and creative mind was certainly not left idle and once the children had come into their own with the rigours of school, Jaslena engaged the wheels to motion. She set about creating a range of jewellery that she would like to wear, fashionable and timelessly classic. With the years of travelling in her bag and that keen interest in fashion, she conjured a range of statement-making jewellery that is unique in its limited edition. Aimed at offering individuality to its wearers each piece of LENA Jewellery is custom designed and handmade, using materials that has been personally sourced from around the world.
LENA featured in British Vogue

 One of LENA's signature pearl and whimsical charm

Cocktail rings in 18K gold and mother of pearl

Jaslena remains unassuming, contented in life’s offerings yet quietly ambitious in her desire to propel LENA Jewellery forward. Her other successes that included a travelling sales and exhibition roadshow in four major cities - Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hamamatsu,Tokyo; as well as the aforementioned, has kept Jaslena determined yet grounded. Affable and decidedly humbled by her experiences, Jaslena sums herself in one sentence: “Always a mom first, a businesswoman by nature and a designer by accident.”





20 October 2013

A touch of Rock and Roll with LENA

Hello, everyone!  I am back from my US vacation and what a trip it was.  We did a lot of driving and it was tiring but very interesting.  I'll be sharing some pictures from the trip with you soon, so stay tune!

Dressing up is a fun thing to do, especially for those who love to experiment with clothing and trend yet still there are days we just want to be as comfortable and as close to who we really are.  I mean, yes, I love dressing up, trying new trends but I can't deny the fact that I feel more comfortable and at ease in a simpler outfit like the one below.  I truly believe this is what works best for me - simple pieces put together with a pair of cute shoes.  To add a bit of edge and rock and roll, I love adding cool accessories either in silver or leather like this gorgeous wrist band I had on by Lena Jewellery!

How can I not fell in love with this beautiful piece? Check out the details of those cute swarovski crystals studded frogs, so well made and fits my style perfectly! Lena Jewellery has so many nice pieces and they are exclusively hand-made and mostly in sterling silver, 18K gold and semi precious stones. Plus they also ship worldwide for free so, go check it out!










:: Wearing ::

GAP tank top
Next denim shirt
Rich and Skinny jeans
ZARA shoes
LENA swarovski and leather wrist bands
*Photos by Azlina Ali*


:: Link Up ::

Not Dead yet Style
DC In Style

17 October 2013

Trending this week..

Happy Friday, everyone!  What a week it has been for me and here I would like to share a glimpse of its highlight with you! Wishing you a great weekend ahead and see you on Monday :)

 The scenic drive on Highway 1 North

 The Lone Cyprus on Pebble Beach.  There's something sad and mysterious about it

 Golden Gate Bridge, up close... a marvel of engineering!

Breaking Bad Season 4 - I know, I am way too late!

Lauren by Ralph Lauren - I used this perfume almost 20 years ago before it was discontinued and early this week I found it in Camarillo Premium Outlet!  I am so over the moon!!

:: Link Up ::

Simply Lulu Style
Style Elixir

07 October 2013

Malaysia... Truly Asia! - Part II

Welcome back to the second part of my Malaysia Truly Asia segment.  

What is a trip back to Malaysia without the food?  Incomplete! Malaysia is truly a heaven for foodies. One can find food practically anywhere at anytime of the day.. seriously, anytime! The stalls or our version of al-fresco dinning can be found anywhere even at the wee hour of the morning.  If you are out clubbing and at 4 am feel like having a bite, no problem at all, you WILL find food.  The stalls serve all kinds of food - Malay, Chinese,Indian or even Western cuisine and they are prepared fresh, made to order and they cost nothing!  Eating out is still relatively cheap in Malaysia even in big cities like Kuala Lumpur.  Of course there are also fine dinning or in a more glamorous setting but I prefer the authentic Malaysian stall food when in town. 

Yong Tau Foo - healthy choice! 

Tip for eating at the stalls - Look for the line, the food must be super there! 

 One of my all time favorite, Char Kuey Teow

Hot dogs and burgers in many versions

 Char Kuey Teow

In a different setting at one of the seafood restaurants

 Roti canai!

 Oh, my!

 Noodles come in many faces here

 The street desert, Ice Kacang.  It is sweet, cool and refreshing! Perfect for the hot and humid weather in Malaysia

 Coconut milk base desert is heaven and the ultimate ripe mango over sticky rice!


And of course, what is a trip back home without my mom's home cook meal

Nothing like it, durian is truly one of a kind

This is the most gorgeous fruit of all, it is so bizarrely gorgeous that it is named the King of all fruits. It has thorny shell and segments of gorgeous yellow flesh covering huge seeds.  The taste I can describe it as creamy, very strong, almost fizzy and the smell is horrendous to some. It is like stinky cheese, you either love it or hate it and I love it!  Captain can tolerate it but not too much.  Tony Bourdain loves durian so much and he described it as  "...smell like your dead relative" ;)


There are many ways to eat durian - fresh (the best way to me),  as a desert over some sticky rice, fresh coconut milk and some sugar or cooked to become toffee like treat called Dodol.  There is even durian flavored ice cream for the least hard core.  The latest craze that hits Malaysia by storm now is durian crepes.  It is basically crepes filled with durian and whipped cream mixture.  The taste is heavenly and simply gorgeous!  Whatever it is, durian doesn't come cheap especially the ones of the best grade.  They normally has thicker flesh, stinks the most and taste super!

Durian crepes

I must thank my brother in-law (again) for some of these amazing images, he is obviously a better photographer than me.

* Please vote for me here for Top 50 Moms Who Blog about Fashion and Beauty. Much appreciated!