Fashionista Escapades: Pontianak, Indonesia

As I am thinking of what to pack and wear for my upcoming Bali vacation next week, I had the thought of sharing my shopping escapades and travel adventures. Who knows, I can even recommend a shop or two that one must drop by when one is in the area.

Grand Kartika Hotel, Pontianak, Indonesia.

So, first stop, let's talk about Pontianak, Indonesia. As I am a born and bred true Borneo Island gal, Pontianak is a mere 10 hours drive away from Kuching City or by plane it should be about 40 minutes of travel. The main city in Kalimantan, this is where most people go to when shopping when one is in the Kalimantan turf.

The happy faces in the photo is a clear indication of satisfied shoppers posing in front of Kartika Hotel on our last day in Pontianak.

I had the opportunity of visiting Pontianak last July and I discovered that it hasn't changed much since I last visited, which was 10 years ago. Although there were nice additions of new shopping complexes that I was delighted to explore.

What to expect? An array of small shopping malls with one huge shopping mall which is also nicknamed as the Mall (which is fitting, in my opinion). Shopping experience? Not much if one was only browsing at the shopping complexes. Although I totally LOVE browsing around Jalan Soedirman (if I manage to spell it correctly) for the numerous stalls displaying huge array of fabrics and hordes of shoes as well as clothes for all ages. The small lanes can be quite cramped and messy when it rains, the opportunity to bargain is a joy to experience. One can bargain up to 50% of the initial selling price if one is GOOD, but please take note that bargaining CANNOT be done in shopping malls. It is simply INAPPROPRIATE.

Visited the Pontianak Sultanate residence. 

The interior of the Sultan's palace.

Had dinner at one of the best ayam penyet restaurant in town *yummeh*. Thanks Bg Iwan for bringing us there! =).

Hotel Kartika is located right next to Kapuas River, so the patio is a nice place to chill and relax after a hard day of shopping =)

We stayed at Hotel Kartika, which is right next to the river (which I totally recommend for the wonderful staff and excellent location).

This photo shows the view from the balcony of the hotel rooms facing the river. At night there are even hawkers displaying their wares at the pier right next to the hotel where one can buy things that one does not need or just chill on the grass next to the pier sipping Es Jeruk (which means iced fruit juice).

A note of caution to those travelers, be mindful of pickpockets and snatch thieves, they seem to be attracted to heedless travelers.

xoxo Fashionista in Action xoxo

Earth Hour

A true fashionista must never neglect her duty to the environment. So, a brave move for me, I'm going to support Earth Hour tonight by switching off the lights at my house for ONE HOUR. For all fashionista's who are in Malaysia, you can all join this by switching off your lights for one hour, 8.30 pm - 9.30 pm. Or, if you are in Kuching, and would like to meet all other environmentally conscious fashionista's you can head on to:

Green Height's Mall @ the Outdoor Marquee

and be part of the Acoustic Concert by Candlelight which will showcase local bands like Evenstarr, Mayze, Passive Fire and Venus & Mars. So, party on peeps! Let's show our support in helping our environment as well as having a great time while doing it too!

Interested to know more about Earth Hour? Log on to www.earthhour.org for more details or, you can even sign up for your support, which me and all my fashionista friends did. 

Let's go peeps or we'll be un~fashionably late! Saving the environment doesn't mean we can't be fashionable about it now, doesn't it?

xoxo Fashionista in Action xoxo

Rainy Boots

It has been raining for the past month. Apparently it is forecasted that the rain will continue on until Chap Goh Mei (which is the 12 day of the new year for the Chinese Lunar Calendar, a mouthful to explain, I must say). Gray balmy weather does have a depressing effect on one's mood, but luckily I have cheerful and bright outfits to counter the somber weather.

The rain makes me think of boots. Not the yellow Phua Chu Kang (best in Singapore and JB style) but more towards ankle-length beige-colored soft moleskin boots. I saw one in Ngiukee the other day (by Emilio Valentino) but it was too pricy for my liking. When I checked out Crocs online store, I found that it was much cheaper for me to buy Crocs rather than opting for EV (online stores are certainly looking more and more attractive).

Let's get Boot-ylicious!

xoxo Fashionista in Action xoxo

Crocs r 'Us

Being a follower of fashion, I am very particular about being comfortable as well as being in fashion. That is why I totally adore Crocs range of shoes, slippers and heels. They take comfort to a whole new level.

At first I was rather skeptical of Crocs initially as I heard so many rumors regarding the safety of wearing Crocs (imagine how weird it is to know that thy shoes are a hazard to thyself). Anyway, my curiosity got the better of me so early last year I bought myself a pair of Crocs and after a year of wearing them I'd have to say that I'm a Crocs convert and is in the midst of acquiring my own Crocs collection.

*That's the first Crocs that I bought last year and am currently using it whenever I'm on my travels. 

Cheerio! Happy Feet, Darlings!

xoxo Fashionista in Action xoxo

Chinese New Year Sale

I am currently in the midst of a fashion crisis. The Chinese New Year Sale, is off to an end soon. And if I don't do anything about it, I am certainly going to regret the outfits that I have yet to purchase once the sale is over.

The question on every fashionista's mind when browsing aisles and aisles of gorgeous outfits and handbags and shoes are, To Buy or Not To Buy. But the best decision would always be, To Buy. That means that you have found the perfect outfit to complement your Monday Blues or to wear during casual Thursdays.

Gosh, the prices that my favorite shoes are being sold is an absolute STEAL. 50% markdown of Carlo Rino high heels in the perfect aquamarine color that really sets off my pearly skin *sigh*. How can I ever resist?

Will I ever stop fighting the temptation that fashion has to offer? Hopefully, no. The sense of satisfaction is too great for me to resist.

Let's go shopping Girls!

xoxo Fashionista in Action xoxo