Collection of ‘Things’ from March 2025

favourite read

The leftover woman: Jean Kwok

It is really a novel exploring what family, love and motherhood means. I thought there would be too many clichéd stereotypes mixed with healthy doses of r@cism everywhere, and while they had SOME of it, it wasn’t focused on the surface-level of said topics.

I really enjoyed the book, and the intricate interplay between who you are and where you truly belong.

topic obsession

Altered art

I just think it is beyond imaginative to take a very well known painting (or just a Renaissance Louise Mayer one like the one above), and alter the image to have them taking selfies, or blowing bubblegum. The interplay of modern and old, is such a whimsical yet clever take on pop art.

One of my very favourite artists – Rodrigo Pinheiro – hails from Brazil, and plays with the paintings of Venus in a halfshell & Girl with a pearl earring. His Venus Chillout print (which I own), brings me joy each time I look at it.

Here are more of my favourite altered art pieces:

• The Crown Headphones
• Bubblegum Crush
• Antique Beats
• Black Girl with the Pearl Earring
• Bubblegum Queen
• Girl Pearl Earring Selfie
• The Influencer
• The Businesswoman
• I Heart Pizza Vermeer

favourite watch

LINCOLN LAWYER

This was originally based off a movie called The Lincoln Lawyer played by Matthew McConaughey which was excellent.

Then they did a spinoff with it, with a fantastic actor (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) who plays Mickey Haller.

It never fails to amaze me at how they weave in the stories of each case into the main case itself, and how the ending is never what I expected.

I am particularly happy with them giving the series a twist and having him be bilingual – speaking fluent Spanish and English from one breath to the other – and having it be an integral part of the show itself.

OOTD inspo

Taking a standard menswear suit, and then adding feminine touches like making the vest hug all of your curves, and topping it with a leather harness of all things, to give a cheeky twist on suspenders (particularly OVER suit, rather than behind it), is sartorial genius.

Actually…I probably own a few pieces that are can be used to recreate this look, and I am eager to try. I am a little too shy to be wearing a tie as an accessory (is it too over the top when it isn’t Fashion Week?), but maybe I will surprise myself and do it anyway.

surprising purchase

Electronics cleaner

I didn’t even know I needed this 8-in-one electronics cleaner until I saw it on TikTok and realized I hadn’t cleaned my Airpods properly in years (I am taking deep into the case, around the edges, etc).

I picked it up and was amazed at how a tiny little product could completely transform my headphones back to almost like new. You can even wash the grey pieces if they get too grimy from cleaning your items. My phone screen has never looked cleaner.

on the hunt for

Hermès Birkin in Gold with Gold hardware

I don’t know what has gotten over me lately, but now I am hunting for a vintage (read: antique if possible) Hermès Birkin in a Gold with Gold hardware colourway. There is something so classic and pretty about this.

I will likely have to look at the larger sizes that are currently less fashionable / desirable, but end up working in my favour as I like to carry a lot of things, and would not be able to fit it all in a 25 cm bag anyway.

The 35cm is the ‘cheapest’ of the lot secondhand, coming in around $10,000 – $15,000. I am heading to Japan soon so maybe I will hit up the secondhand stores there and see if I can get a deal, as Japanese sellers are known for really taking care of their items and avoiding fakes because they want the real thing.

I also wonder if I can all this an investment as Birkins have done pretty well over the years in terms of value accumulation, kind of like collecting art.

I keep waffling back and forth about whether or not I need one.. Need being the OPERATIVE WORD. Maybe yes?

Want more?

Here are all the previous months’ posts…