Another mother

Top: ASOS (Similar here) | Skirt: Primark (Similar here) | Shoes: Topshop (Similar here) 

Sunglasses: ASOS | Bag: Aldo | Earrings: Aldo (Similar-ish here) | Ring: Gift (Similar here)

I've just realised that 4 of the 7 items listed here were bought for me by my aunt. Is it strange that my aunt is basically dressing me? I'm not complaining. I've been very lucky because since I was a kid, I had a fashionable aunt who would buy me awesome things and who doesn't like to receive pretty gifts ammirite? 

I remember in Secondary School, on the first day back to school after the CNY break, we'd be allowed to wear our CNY clothes to school. My aunt bought me a light blue metallic threaded dress that was a big hit. I remember a girl called Rosie who came up to me and said, "I like your dress, although it's a bit short." I don't know why she needed to stick that second part in there, maybe it really was too short hahaha but nonetheless, I felt good.

As I get older, I wonder when the time will come when I'll be able to buy her nice gifts back. I think I unsuccessfully bought my aunt a gift once - a very colourful candle. I can only imagine how she probably threw it into a junk pile immediately because now that I think about it, my god that candle was U-G-L-Y.

Having been born into a family of really strong cool women, I think I've been fortunate. My aunts have all stepped in to be second/third/fourth moms to me which is awesome since my mom was a single parent and I wasn't exactly easy to deal with. Lol.

Thanks to my family for being my family, and thanks for reading!

Alex can't afford to wear stuff

Top: ASOS (Similar here) | Skirt: ASOS (Similar here) | Shoes: Keds (Similar here)

Clutch: ASOS | Sunglasses: Nichii (Similar here) 

You might have gathered from my previous post that I've been on the hunt for an apartment. It's been kind of fun visiting showflats and actual flats but it's also been a really sobering experience. My main problem is that I have yuppie inclinations - You know, the live-in-a-condo-sip-on-Nespresso kind of fantasy? That would be all well and good if I had maybe erm, a lot of money in the bank.

What all this really means is that I'm going to have to buckle down and really put an effort into saving, and cutting unnecessary costs. Which really means I'm going to have to stop all my frivolous shopping. This blog should be renamed 'Alex can't afford to wear stuff' and then have me basically whining about how things are expensive and I'm suffering. Basically, mad first world problems.

At the end of the day though, the idea of going out there and owning my own place and not having to share a fridge with the world's greatest food hoarder is quite appealing. Not to say I don't enjoy living with the momster. I guess I just want to have my own space. But also, ensure that I live no more than 10 minutes walk away from her. Oh yeah. Real grown up here.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope you'll put up with the whining.   

Did someone say biru?

Continued from here, here and here...

The last post on my recent trip... I promise!

Before flying back to Singapore after our Italian hiking expedition (this makes it sound way more rugged than it really was), we stayed a night in Munich and we went to Oktoberfest! For the unitiated, Oktoberfest is basically a boozy carnival, with food, drinks (beer), rides and games. Kind of like a Disneyland for adults.

Debauchery starts here

We stayed at a hotel called Hotel NH and we took a short bus ride to the train station, hopped on a train, then walked a short way to the venue. Driving wasn't encouraged as there's nowhere to park and it's super crowded. Munich's train and bus system seems really well organised although a bit strange because it seems to work on some honour system, like they don't have gantries so technically you can get away with not paying. This was so strange to me because Singapore is all rules, taxes, fines whereas Munich is like 'yo it's cool man, I got ya'.

The hotel.. Meh

Anyway. OKTOBERFEST! There are tons of tents, each with their own unique style and audience demographic. But when I say 'tents', I don't mean like small plastic flappy marquees, I mean like serious makeshift buildings. They cater to a few hundred to thousands of people so they're serious business with huge kitchens, washrooms, a stage for some kind of polka band, and massive pillars supporting the whole construct.

Pretty intentse wouldn't you say? Hurhurhur

Inside the tent

As advised by everyone and every single site ever dedicated to Oktoberfest, if you don't make a reservation, and don't find a table, you are screwed. You can do what we did - go in at about 2.30pm on a Thursday, and try your luck. We found a place and were seated immediately but after eating, we made the mistake of leaving to walk around and by evening, all tables at every single tent was taken and we couldn't do dinner. OOPS. Good thing I had stuffed myself pretty much the whole day so I didn't need to eat anymore.

Unfortunately, I'm not a great drinker, so I couldn't even finish my own and I was pretty tipsy after 15 minutes. Lame. But the food... OMG. Amazing. We had roasted chicken and pork knuckle and it was divine! 

This is the face of a drunk person

The rest of the day, we wandered around looking at things for sale (knick-knacks, Oktoberfest souvenirs etc), snacking (sausages, pancakes with jam, more chicken and fries), watching people go on scary rides and totally lose their shizz, and checking out all the tents. The tents are really well organised considering it's a boozefest, and the staff are super efficient. Attendees are from all over, I heard several accents from around the world, and everyone seemed to be having a super time. As the day wore on, people obviously got more sloshed and then we did some drunk spotting. 

Queen drunkzalot spotted

Byebye Munich!

Oktoberfest was quite the experience, and even as a non-drinker, I still enjoyed the atmosphere and vibe. I have to commend the Germans for such a well-run event (complete with amazingly clean toilets!) It was a lovely way to end a busy vacation. 

Thanks for reading!