A Spoonful of Carol M : March 2014

Monday 31 March 2014

The Models

You probably know that I have worked with some models backstage during the VAMFF 2014 from my previous blog. As models' dresser at the backstage, things might get a bit 'rough' I might say (you never know)? You get the pressure from the stage manager, the stylist, the designer and the models (they are human comes with emotion too), especially when things heat up. On the other hand, we were warned though. However, I was lucky enough to have nice people to work around with, especially the models (who I deal with the most).

So here are the models I worked with and some of the looks I dressed them in.

Day 1: 17 March 2014 (Opening Event presented by David Jones)
Model: Shanna Jackway from Adelaide (Pride Models)

Day 2: 18 March 2014 (Runway 1 presented by Miss Vogue)
Model: Rachael Grasso from Sydney (Chadwick Models)

Day 3: 19 March 2014 (Grand Showcase featuring Camilla)
Model: Eliza Baker from Gold Coast (IMG Models)

Day 3: 19 March 2014 (Runway 3 presented by Frankie Magazine)
Model: Laura Jade Alexander-Breton from Melbourne (IMG Models)

After seeing what actually is going on at the backstage, these are some tough ladies! They worked long hours, walk in pain yet showing they are comfortable (the amount of band-aid used at the backstage are insane) and so on. Yes, being a model is not as glamorous as it looks. Respect for these ladies especially with their down to earth and nice personality and they treat dressers like me with respect instead of a punching bag. I enjoyed working with them.

Love, Carol

Backstage VAMFF 2014

Wow! It has been a while since I last blog and I have so much to tell (I was quite busy and there were some 'no access to my laptop' moments). Anyway, let's get things going from now on.

I know VAMFF 2014 was a while ago but I'm still going to talk about my experience here. I have the great opportunity to work at the backstage for VAMFF (Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival) for couple days. Well, this is a volunteer work (yeap, that means no pay) but the experience is what matters to me and they were pretty awesome!

So, my first shift was at the collection venue (where all the clothes and shoes and accessories for the runway stay) a week before the fashion festival at docklands. My job was to check on the clothes, making sure each pieces and looks are there and in order. On top of that, I spent most of my time taping the shoes (to protect the shoes from damage during the fashion shows, they need to remain new) and they are not as easy as it sounds. However, once I get the hang of it, I went through pairs of shoes pretty quick (on the bright side, I get to hold and admire some awesome expensive shoes).

Then the backstage shift as a dresser began. First, it was the opening show for the VAMFF that was presented by David Jones and supported by Vogue Australia. It was my first time at the backstage and man that place was quite small for the amount of people and stuff in there! There were lots of clothes and shoes, steaming machines, boxes, lots of people running around, just eye opening. I started my shift at 10am and same goes to the ones who were involved including the models at central pier (some started their job earlier) where the fashion show was. Every dresser were assigned with a model and lucky me, I had a very nice model to work with.

Highlight of first day, I met Megan Gale and her famous baby bump, Jessica Gomes (she was also doing a shoot with Margaret Zhang during our break from the rehearsals), Montana Cox and the Elsa Morgan (make up director for L'Oreal Paris Australia). Did I mention some of the models in the room were in the Australia Next Top Model?! It's just a bit surreal to me because I have been watching the older seasons of ANTM when I was staying in Singapore (2013) and there I was, in the same room, dressing them for the fashion shows.

Day 2, the runway were presented by Miss Vogue and InStyle (yes, 2 shows!). I was not suppose to work that day but I volunteered to fill in for the last minute shift (someone cancelled their shift due to personal reasons). I thought I would be alright (I felt alright when I woke up) after a 13 hour shift on day 1 but I was wrong, I started to feel a bit 'zombie like' after lunch. Anyhow, I survived and finished up show 1 which was presented by Miss Vogue (Designer: Bassike, Christopher Esber, Josh Goot, Maticevski, Scanlan Theodore, Strateas.Carlucci and Willow). Again, I had a fun and easy model to work with.

Day 3 was my last shift for VAMFF 2014 and it was the day for the grand showcase featuring Camilla and the runway show presented by Frankie Magazine (Designer: Alpha60, Bul, Dorota, Gorman, Jolet, Kuwaii, Leonard St and Livia Arena).

The Camilla show is one of my favourite, it was very intense at the back stage because there were so much detail and accessories to go with (not a bad thing, it was so grand that we didn't want to mess things up, not even a tiny one!). The rehearsal went well and everything went smoothly. However, just before the start of the show, the media, the hairstylists, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the makeup artists all swamp into the same spot (it was really crowded), things got harder because of the space issue. On the other hand, Camilla herself came to the backstage and she was just standing next to me (well my clothes rack really but a close distance!). Not to exaggerate, but when the show start, I've been having goosebumps from the start till the end! Additionally, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was playing live for the show and the music was really intense which adds more pressure to the backstage. Adrenaline was pumping, we were all having fun in the mean time and very happy that the show was a great success. Sadly, we were not allow to take any picture at the backstage so I repost some of the pictures I found on Instagram. I was hoping Eva Longoria to come visit the backstage but no luck that night.

Carry on, show 2 of the day presented by Frankie Magazine. The runway was decorated with pots of plants which I think was a nice touch. I had more changes of outfit with my model for this show but her personality made it so easy and fun. Time flies when you're having fun. The show finishes quicker for some reason (probably I was having fun and it was my last).

Love the long lashes bambi! To sum it all up, there's a lot of people in a small place, some yelling under the pressure but no biggie, lots of hairspray, lots of media with their huge cameras and so on. Met some nice people and made friends, I had so much fun, it's one great experience to have! I wish I could continue working for the rest of the fashion festivals but I had a plane to catch on the next day after my last shift.

Would I do it again? Hell Yes!

Love, Carol

Sunday 9 March 2014

Tea Collection

This house is filled with a Chinese and 2 Australian with their Irish and English heritage. That means, we all love our tea. So here are the tea collections (nothing exotic) we have so far (we do buy tea occasionally despite the amount of tea we have now). We don't have the teapot with infuser in it or a clip infuser so we don't have any loose tea leaves yet. I think my dad just bought us a nice glass teapot with infuser in it but we won't get it till next month when my parents visit us. So all the tea we have now are in tea bags.

I will start off with the smaller boxes of tea bags we have.

The Lemon & Ginger Tea by Twinings Herbal Infusions Range, this one is my favourite at the moment. So basically the lemon wakes you up and the ginger warm you up. I have been drinking this tea religiously for the past month that I need to restock them so often (I think I'm the only one drinks this but they ran out so quick). I normally put a teaspoon of honey in the tea to have the sweetness and I'm loving the combination! I'm having a cup of it right now as I'm typing this blog away. It is a caffeine-free tea, so you can drink this whenever you want.
Next is the Jasmine Green Tea by Dilmah. This was my favourite, I still like it very much but I have been reaching the other tea more often now. Love the aroma, especially in the morning, just makes me happy smelling and drinking it.
With all the hype of Chai, I have decided to try them and I bought Chai & Vanilla Tea by Twinings Exotic Range. Still not sure if I like the scent and spiciness in the tea, I can't decide if I don't mind it or I don't like it yet. But I definitely like it better with milk.
Another caffeine-free tea, the Rosehip Tea by Tasty.
Keith was hooked on the complimentary Chinese tea he had in one of the Chinese restaurant we went to in Malaysia. So we bought the Jasmine tea in one of the Asian grocery store and hope this would be close to the one we had.
Lipton was having these nice little packaging for different sorts of tea which they called it their pyramid tea range. The tea bags are in pyramid shape (which I think it's cute) with silk like material of tea bags, I think. We bought the Forest Fruits Tea and the Russian Earl Grey Tea. Love the aroma of the forest fruits tea. One cup of this tea and the whole house would smell like it, it's like having an aroma therapy in the same time. The Russian earl grey is nice too, it's like earl grey but more citrusy in comparison.

Moving on to them big boys. These are the ones that we bought in 100 tea bags boxes. The boys reach to them more often so we need the quantity there to meet the needs! Let's start with the good ol Earl Grey Tea by Twinings Classics. Keith and I love this so much. I wasn't a fan of earl grey at first but started to become a fan since 6-7 months ago (something just click).
This is the cup of home for me, the Sabah Tea. It is a strong black tea and the tea leaves are all planted and processed back in my hometown where the tea got it's name, Sabah. Keith fell in love right away when he had Sabah tea for the very first time when he traveled to Sabah with me to see where I grew up for the very first time. Drinking this tea remind me of the time we spent in Sabah, especially the time when we hiked and conquered the Mount Kinabalu (The highest mountain in the South East Asia).
My mother in law (Keith's mother obviously) gave us this massive box of the English Breakfast Tea by Madura. I always like English Breakfast, it's like the most preferred tea when I was younger.
Sean, Keith's brother suggested that I should try the Australian Afternoon Tea by Twinings Limited Edition when we were in the aisle of tea and coffee in Coles. It was on sale and I decided to give it a go. It is like English Breakfast but stronger.
Sean's favourite tea, the Pure Green Tea by Twinings. I don't mind it but I definitely prefer the Jasmine Green Tea.
Last but not least, the classic Lipton Quality Black Tea, who doesn't have these?

So that's what we have so far! I'm very sure the collection will grow. Till then!

Love, Carol

Thursday 6 March 2014

The Oscars 2014

I know it's a bit late for talking about the dresses from The Oscars but I still want to put it out there. In my defense, it's the beginning of March and some exciting stuff are going on, a quick talk of some of the exciting news in March: I have been selected to work for the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) and it's confirmed that I will be going to Paris for a week (end of this month). So I have been busy with job hunting, meeting with the VAMFF team for the briefing and working on our year book (we have a habit of printing our pictures into a photo book annually to capture the highlights each year).

Back to The Oscars, I watched most of the show and Ellen the host did an incredible job! She ordered pizzas during The Oscars (only she can pull it off! Did I mention it's a live show too?!) and everyone was eating pizza in the room (you would think the stars would say no to pizza when they are dressed in those expensive designer clothes)! Also, She took the world most famous selfies (the best yet) that got the most retweet and started the trend in the music industry, tv star industry, sports industry and so on (everyone just started to do group selfies). Here is the world most famous selfies.