Reverie Sanctuary

GREEN plaid trousers and PINK umbrella

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:37:51 +0000

The time I wear a plaid in shades of green and carry a pink umbrella for a breezy day stroll.

Strolling on a blue-sky day when it's breezy out is quite a refreshing treat and can't be compared to when it's humid or all out drizzling. I have completely drenched a pair of sneakers during an evening pour and have now planned to get the shoes washed when there will be continuous sun. Nothing makes a shoe quite stale and unappealing when there's moisture stuck in it! It's an art truly, to be able to wash a pair of sneakers. You can't just wash them willy nilly and then it's pouring and humid at the same time. Alas, the shoes are resting in my room with baking soda resting inside them. LOL. Luckily I have some other spare walking shoes to walk besides my fav blue pair that's on vacation now. Walking on a humid day brings a different level of perspiration into the equation. It's easy to find oneself quite drenched from the act of sweating and finding it hard to get comfy again. I usually run into a chilled environment. I don't know why I am still yapping about this topic but I guess, it's quite a fav topic of mine, after all these years.

Anyway, let me show you what I was wearing this one fine evening when I went out for a stroll at the local park. I personally think it's a really cute ootd because I finally found my old black tank top to pair with the green plaid pants and I quite like the vibe it's got going on with the pink umbrella that my sis recently got me. It takes a while for me to warm up to the mechanism of this umbrella as it's way clunkier than my old grey one. A classic umbrella is still the best one. This one is wrapped up in a not cylindrical shape and the button is far from seamless. But I like the black-out feature that really aids in keeping me cool when it gets suddenly bitingly hot out. There's that tango in between a torrential pour, high humidity and a blindingly hot weather that is in season for May in tropical Malaysia that an umbrella is a practical must-have.

Outfit deets: Sunnies in brown because I love looking through sepia-colored lens / heart-shaped hoop earrings / black cotton tank top / pink umbrella / grey waist bag / cotton green plaid pants / off white walking shoes (because it will never stay white for long lol)

Just me moving my limbs about:

Powder is a friend to my constantly perspiring face

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:08:00 +0000

The time I'm feeling light blue and airy. I share about befriending powder to tame my face oiliness.

Hey friends, how are you? I feel like it's been ages since I'm here. Even though I am not here blogging, I still manage to get a few outfit photos lined up and gathering the imaginary dust on a folder in my phone. I have just suddenly sneezed after writing about the imaginary dust because my dusty room needs no imagination to get my nose hairs tickled from the particles circulating in the air. With temperature going pretty high here as it's always summer if it's not storming, I'm also blessed with a golden tan that shall get no complaints from me because I absolutely adore my own complexion. I remember the days when I wear the incorrect color of a powder/foundation on my face and looked ridiculous. Now is the time to really have your own skin to match up with whatever cosmetics that one uses and I'm here for it. Talking about my face, it's still oily as I get older but it is getting thirsty too so I have to lather quite s good hydrating cream especially at night and drink gallons of water.

These hot days promise me quite the parched skin so I have to try to load up on water with electrolytes because I sweat like I'm Niagara falls these days. Water in, water our. And then as a result of a facial skin that has kind of take to having a layer of perspirant, I made friends with powder foundations! I finally get it! That powder really truly divinely aids in keeping my skin looking fresh as opposed to appearing blotchy and also uneven in tone. I thank you, powder, for getting yourself back into relevance in my life. Funnily enough, I did use a normal powder back in the 90s tucked into a folded tissue. Well, since I'm entering second puberty, we're back at it right smack dab in 2026.

About the outfit, well, here it is. I wore something, obviously. Let' me look at it first before I yammer on. It's a light blue situation of an outfit for a stroll. I wore a light blue chambray shirt over the thinnest paisley spaghetti strap top and a flared cotton blue cropped pants and my blue walking shoes. The umbrella is a basic grey one because I like to play peek-a-boo with the sun. Sunnies are a retro white-framed piece and there's a grey waist bag that is not visible as it was under my loose paisley top.

Thank you for popping by! I really appreciate it. Hope your days are breezy if it's too hot. Hot if it's too cold. Rainy if it's too dry. Dry if it's too rainy. LOL.

A tiny moment of me caught in time:

When my bob was still short / All black except the accessories

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:21:00 +0000

The time the ensemble is almost all black except for the tote and shoes.

Hiya folks, how are you? I'm back with an entry of a look I'd worn a few moons back. My bob was still bobbing then. It's now grown that I can tie the ends back. Also, it's no longer a stark dark color as I'd chosen to lighten my mane up into a caramel brown color. Love the lighter hair look at the moment because it's more blended with my white wisdom hairs!

I'm wearing my reading glasses as I type this. I didn't know that I was ever going to need it but now that the aging process is showing its hand in how I feel in my flesh, I'm very aware that it's important to be compassionate and patient with how my eyeballs work these days. I used to be able to process things faster when it's in different lighting and now, alas, I'm here. I also have a hormonal headache concentrated on my right temple. I know it is a hormonal one because it feels like one from how I feel within. It's getting better now that I have taken my tablets. I have also cooked. And my bowl of baked rice with miscellaneous goodness is resting in the microwave. It's one of those rainy days that is happening today. I had to toss my laundry back into the washing machine because it's still soggy and I'm hoping the sun will come by tomorrow. I mean, it's always there but I need for it to shine bright into the pores of my hanged clothes. Nothing beats a freshly-toasted clothing blasted by the rays of sunshine.

Onto my ootd on this day: I wore a black top with a v-neckline with a pair of flared ribbed black pants that come with no pockets. I forgot to check for the presence of pockets and now I'm stuck with the pants because I do appreciate the flare-y shape. It's elongating and pretty. It's also made out of a heavy fabric making it perfect for the cooler days and evenings. Definitely would prefer if the pants had pockets but it's alright. The green tote is just a fun little tote that has a structure I like but the handle is way too short to be practical and to make it even worse, there's no cover or a something to secure the top with. I honestly don't know why I even looked at this bag except that I love that it looked like a green trimmed faux lawn, The shoes, well, these old bad pumas are still amazing! I still haven't got myself to give them a good wash and with soggy weather like today, it will have to be postponed. Nothing beats sun-baked fresh sneakers. Talking about being baked by the sun, I like that as well except that when the sun is beating me eyes straight without a shade as it can trigger a migraine! LOL.

As always, it's great to have you swinging by this old place. I hope you're well wherever you are. And that you keep on keeping on!

Our little kitten, Mellow resting cutely on the couch. Miss the little one as he's not been back for quite a bit ;(

Till the next one, take amazing care, enjoy the weather <3

There is something about green plaid pants

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:11:00 +0000

The time I wear a green plaid trouser and yap about my hair situation.

Heyya folks, it's another outfit entry before the year wraps itself up. Not sure if I have posted a look with this pair of trousers here but here we go. I love that the pants are soft and cozy. It's got that relaxed look that go with my chunky stems and I love it. Nothing gets the mood down with a pair of too-tight skinny-tailored non-stretchy trousers. I have been into the jogger-style or a totally relaxed pants variety this year. I still love a soft pair of leggings on cooler days but most days here in tropical Malaysia, something loose like this plaid trouser is the way to go. In the pictures, I can be seen smiling because the kitties were there joining me just outside the frame. They thought food was coming and were excited. But alas, all they got to view (at that moment) was me prancing around being amused while calling them to enter the frame but they were confused.

Ever since I got my hair cut into a short bob with longer sides and shorter back, I've been relieved of the business of fussing over my hair. It's quite a nice thing to feel when more time is freed for other things beside spending ages to pre-prep, wash and then style my fine wavy hair. With the overlap of coloring to get the grey roots covered, my hair had evolved to become limp and just overall, not that cute. Now that this bob haircut is growing, I'm already envisioning my next haircut that has the back cut short with a lot of texturizing elsewhere for a textured look and then maybe, in the future, get a pixie! I know right, I can't believe it myself. The last time I had a pixie was when I was a kid! Even if I miss the look/aesthetic of my wavy hair when it was medium-length, I really do not miss the whole process of taking care of said hair. I also seem to enjoy styling my short bob

Phew... wow, forgive me for going on and on about my hair situation. It's not that important but I decide to share how much I really gave it a lot of thought today, haha!

Anyways, here's me prancing about like a silly goose:

Thank you for popping by. See you in the next one! Have a lovely time outside in the green. Bring your legs out for walking. Cook some lentils. Eat some meat. Don't forget your veges. Make your day great by making it great! Or be mellow. It's great to be mellow too. The weather's great for it. Sorry I keep going on and on ;)

Vintage jazz on a rainy day

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:52:00 +0000

The time I went for a stroll in an outfit made up of my favorite animals.

Hiya folks, I swear it's one of those things that come to visit me peripherally(imagined shadows of a zoomie-infected kitten) when I'm tired chasing a kitten around because I want to spend some quality time with the furry friend but I'm already exhausted but not to the point that I want to banish the kitties. The kitties are from a neighbor's so I'm just being visited by them in the late evenings and while they're cute and all and as much as I would love to spend hours just hanging out with them, the rainy days have me in a soggy spell and that is evident in the brain department. All I want to do after stuffing my face is to have a warm beverage, a snack, vintage jazz softly whispering in the background and a zone-out sesh playing a recently-downloaded block game on the phone.

I have finally deleted Scrabble because it got annoying with the ads. In the background as I type this, the rain does its quiet pattering outside. The fan is buzzing and the jazz music is hypnotically playing while I sit to ponder if I should take my vitamin C. I think I should. Let me go do just that. The roof of my mouth in these middle years is darn sensitive and I have to decide from now onwards to have meals and drinks that are of a strictly appropriate temperatures. The skin and gums are now in their aging days. How very nostalgic. I remember drinking and eating various questionably scalding categories of soups, stews and drinks and my gums could take it. Now my gums are sending me messages through the sensations in the roof of my mouth. I shall seriously take note of it!

How about you? How have your gums been? Do you know how to softly brush them for a healthy oral health? I hope you do. It's nice to take care of the mouth if you're planning to use them to gobble up yummy things, I suppose. Let's do it. You and I. Starting from today.

On to this casual outfit worn for a breezy day stroll. I had to choose two animals to go together for some random reason. I chose an owl and elephant combo. The waist sports bag is a new one that I got from Shopee on a good deal because the ones from Karrimor, though cute, are a bit much for me. I hope this non-branded one will last. The last waist beg I had was from Karrimor and it's still functioning though the zipper has been retailored twice. The new one has a very stretchy type of waist belt that I find so nice as it can be moved easily up and down whilst on the waist. The shoes are from Puma because these things last a long time! I just need to wash mine. But since it's been raining a lot, I'll have to do that when it gets violently sunny as I'm not a fan of soggy sneakers. In fact, I'm a real hater of soggy shoes and soggy weather.

Here's me moving about to showcase the breezy elephant pants I love so much but have no idea where I got them from and that's a sad thing because these pants are IT! The scrunchy band at the ankle is a nice feature as I can raise the bands up for a shorter trouser look. I'm carrying the umbrella because I sometimes like to prepare before the rain comes down even if it's just a drizzle or it/'s to have some shade when the sun decides to beam unexpectedly. I can't wear hats because I don't like my head to be soggy. LOL

Floral chambray on a breezy day

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:49:00 +0000

The time I casually donned an old floral chambray top with a latest thrifted find.

Hey peeps, how are you? I happened to wear a floral top from my closet after a long while. I think it was the length of this top that hangs awkwardly that makes me dismissive of it. Or that sometimes, it gets wrinkly (due to me chucking it somewhere in the messy wardrobe) but the material is beautiful and then I learn a clothing tip about making it look a little like a crop by tying the hem with a hair tie, scrunchie or a plain rubber band and tuck it up underneath to the crop length one prefers depending on the day.

Thanks to YouTube shorts, I believe because I'm not on Tick Tock but I'm sure you'll find tons of fashion tips there about turning a long top into a crop minus literally cutting it off. Due to how I'm really compromised when it comes to tying anything tightly, as with anything, it unravels. But hey, for a quick scroll on a breezy day I must say, I like that I get to tie the hem up and hide it under. I'd wear this floral chambray sleeveless top again with this kind of crop styling to be honest.

Oh dear..well.. well...

I just happened to have experienced a mind fog situation. It's quite something. I hear it's the thing that comes with middle years. LOL. It's something that can trigger a discomfort and at the same time, I find that it just gets me into a different sort of flow if one isn't on a very precisely factual agenda. That could definitely throw me into a frenzied loop and it doesn't help with me sweating a lot. But that's when I also realize that powder is my friend. And it's a friend to those blessed with a very oily skin like mine. Gosh, sorry for the rambling because it's still so nice to do it whilst typing here on this old blog of mine.

Let me just shush now. I hope everyone's enjoying the beginning of November. I have sometimes do and sometimes, been in a daze it doesn't matter. Haha.

See you in the next one, folks! Thank you for popping by, as always :)

Denim Overalls - The Nostalgic Jumpsuit That Never Grows Old

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:35:00 +0000

The time we unravel the reasons why denim overalls are still IT in 2025...

Denim overalls are a timeless piece of clothing that has been popular for a number of years. From being a practical outdoor working wear to becoming a fashion trend among Gen Z’s and popular icons, they never seem to leave our wardrobes, and there are many reasons for why this is so.

This entry looks at some of the key reasons why denim overalls are still popular in 2025 and why you should consider investing in a pair (should you feel like so, of course!)

Practical + Stylish

For years, denim overalls have been worn as practical outdoor workwear. From farmers and laborers, overalls were designed to be comfy - made with thick material that was resistant to wear and tear, had pockets for convenience and could be worn over thick or thin layers and are ideal for wearing all year round. Nowadays, though worn more casually than with laboring in mind, they are still loved for their comfort and practicality, and can be easily dressed up or down.

Effortless to Style

Denim is the most versatile material you can wear- it goes with almost any color, print or pattern and as a result is very easy to style. Denim overalls can be worn over tops, sweaters, bodysuits and even jumpers in the colder months with a pair of leggings or tights underneath. They are perfectly suited to almost any occasion, from casual errand-running activities to dressing up for a chic fun night out to paint the town red.

Comfort is Key

While jumpsuits made from other unforgiving materials can often feel quite restrictive to move in and about and can feel uncomfortable, this isn’t the case with denim. Denim overalls are usually rendered in a much baggier style of jumpsuit that in turn allows you to move freely, but are still fitted enough that they flatter your figure. You can size up or down too to suit your personal preferences. Overalls are perfect for any body type or shape, and make you feel CUTE and comfortable no matter how you style them.

Made to Last

Denim is one of the most sustainable materials that clothes are made from due to their longevity. A good pair of denim overalls can last you for years, as long as they are washed properly and taken care of. They rarely stretch or shrink, and the fabric doesn’t fray or tear like with other jumpsuit materials. This makes them a great piece to invest in and you know you are getting your money’s worth out of them too. Those who are fashion conscious and love shopping sustainably love denim overalls over other types of jumpsuits for this exact reason.

The Nostalgia Bug

Lots of folks adore denim overalls because of the nostalgia they carry with them. A throwback from the 90s pop star trends, playing outside as children or even looking at pairs our parents and grandparents wore in photos, denim overalls have a nostalgic aura attached to hem that makes many people still mad about them in 2025.

Conclusion

Denim overalls are more than just a piece of clothing - they are a nostalgic, sustainable, versatile and offer tons of comfortable that can be worn for various occasions, appealing to men, women and children alike.

Image Credit:

Hatice Uyar

PNW Production

jasmin chew

Always cranky and often hungry

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:10:00 +0000

The time I'm still in the 80s music mood and it has nothing to do with my outfit and what I am about to ramble about but here I am.

Hello world? Is anybody still human out there? I'm sick of the AI crap everywhere and have taken to ignore the lot of them except for when I'm fooled by the dancing police YouTube has been presenting to me on a whim. Annoying! Sorry I had to start the post intensely raging. How are you? I'm just sitting here in the quiet humming of the old laptop. The fan is not on because the mountain rain and breeze are both chilling the house from the outside. The cold night is made for utter hibernation, reflection, meditation and anything that you can think of. Even dancing, yes. I might just do that. There's a momma cat with her kittens outside just keeping us company. They're super cute but the kittens poo a lot and the aroma of poo is far from cute. Unlike their cute and fluffy faces. I hope they're enjoying their stay at the porch because I do spoil them with their favorite fishy wet food mixed with their crispy pellets. Will give them their favorite warm milk in a bit because I'm in my rambling mode.

My poor dry desert eyeballs would prefer that I shut everything down and close my eyelids but alas, I'm in the mood to type away and respond to a few humans that I feel like being responsive to. Earlier on, I did a grey root touch-up with an instant natural brown shampoo hair color and how it was a quick one. I can't be bothered with doing too much when I can do it quickly. I thank the men's hair color section because those very practical sachets are a heaven-sent.

Have not been to the hairdresser in ages because I've taken to learning from the experts on YouTube for hair layering and texturizing strategies. At the moment, I'm obsessed with hair thinning shears because I have fine wavy hair that's well suited to having tons of layers because I'm all about volume and lift and the 80s shag mullet. Very grateful to my mom for keeping the thinning shears somewhere in her closet and the videos on YouTube teaching me how to correctly use them! They're addictive! Talking about YouTube, they really need to tone it with the AI nonsense. I'm sick of it.

There I go again. Hahah. Anyway, let's talk about what I wore the day that I was wearing it. The outfit was casual as per usual as I love going out for walks. I walk everywhere and when I'm home, I also walk round and round and more so with a ton of kitty cats coming by to share their furry presences with me. I can't ever stop missing Aiden, our original angel cat. He's in every bit of the spaces where the kitty cats are playing and resting at. I hope they are able to feel the love that Aiden had for his home.

The outfit is made out of my favorite oversized black polo shirt (a gift from my brother), and old pair of very soft black leggings with silver studs on the side, the usual blue sneakers, waist bag, blue sunnies and an umbrella.

Here's me in my outfit in video form:

Till the next one, take care and thank you for dropping by :)

It's a season for jeans that are relaxed...

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:32:00 +0000

The time I wear a pair of relaxed cargo jeans because it's a relaxed denim era for me.

Hey peeps, it's been a hot minute. I'm here to tell you that I've been around. It's just that I have been on a pause and while I still take outfit pictures and have them in queue, I have not had the chance to really type away. It's not that I'm without thought. Haha. The thoughts do come and go and I sometimes are bombarded by the most random of thoughts. It's just that my hands aren't hooked to the keyboard and today, it appears that I still have it and I am loving the feeling of finger hitting the keyboard for the purpose of outfit blogging. I am feeling foggy-brained today but I just had two coffees. Ones that I make myself at home using instant coffee but I'm guessing the milk cookies add to the cozy ambiance that's attacking my brain at the moment.

There was a bee hive that spooked my mom a few days back and today, the bees have left. Where the hive was, a piece of a honeycomb sits there lonelily. I will take a snap of it tomorrow and do and IG story. We're happy that bees felt cozy enough to stay by the old java apple tree where my mom's been putting her orchids. Gosh, I am so sleepy.

On to the outfit. This was from last year. I don't know why it wasn't posted but today's the day. I wore a little white crop top, light blue relaxed style jeans with a high waist and a cotton plaid shirt as a scarf. The bag is a thrifted find and I love that it's tree bark brown with a textured knit all over. The shoes are my usual walking shoes in blue from Puma. These are on mad sales right now. The next shoes for me would be something from a past collection because the price is way friendlier to the pocket. I will have to go and visit the sport shoe sales tomorrow and see!

Random thought: AI slop taking over content is absolutely annoying. I make sure to stay away from anything that's super duper AI and then there are the ads; even those things are AI to the brim. Never in the many years have I been online that I am so over with being on the internet. I will keep this place very human-centered for as long as I am still the human behind this!

Till the next one, take precious care! Be aware of the content you consume. Support the human. Ditch the robot slop!

Cold cider helps you sleep + a poem or something

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:20:00 +0000

The time I try to write something when I direly need to rest.

I'm attempting to write something while half of me is ready for sleep. The sun was extra potent today. It was really something. Coupled with a stomach filled with food, I'm extremely ready to sleep. But, the cat that looks like Aiden but isn't Aiden is in the house and he's also very sleepy. For the very first time, the cat, that I call Murphy is sprawled where Aiden used to rest and he's gone to lala land because he finally felt comfy enough to do so after he ate and drank like a furry dino.

Before I hit the hay, I will confess that it's a must to get myself to cool down with a bath but that is not happening yet. The way the heat is contained in the house is something else. A lot of things are something else. Like how the blue skies get extra blue and the heat extra heaty. Like how I ramble and lose the plot. I just downed apple cider vinegar diluted in cold water. It's time to sleep, my brain say, it is!

With the middle years coming on so strong, I do love anything that will aid in a me sustaining a good deep sleep and to my pleasant surprise, apple cider vinegar has been helpful. I didn't know that it does what it does until finding it out this year. It holds my sleep tightly down. So I can dwell a little bit longer in the deep sleep realm.

Lately, I've stumbled into the late 90s to early 2000s music thanks to a DVD that was in the old DVD player from my brother's ancient music list. It's got songs from The Used, Weezer, The Ataris & The All-American Rejects and even Enrique Iglesias. Songs of that era totally hit different. And then, there's Dishwalla. I still am obsessed with Every Little Thing!

A Poem or Something
I am trying to write something to write something
I am feeling out feelings that can make sense out of things
I don't know if it's the point to get to a point
I certainly believe that the points we reach here are ultimately for transcendence
I am stickily attached yet in moments I forget, eventually, I am not
It's a hectic movement of coming to and going of
and in between these two actions, a current of life in the living
a flowing in the flow.
a happening that's happened.
**

Image Credit: Diana on Pexels

How to turn your garden into a peaceful sanctuary?

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:56:00 +0000

The time we get to learn how to turn the garden into a tranquil piece of sanctuary.

Need a safe space to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life?

Want access to your very own sanctuary?

Start by working on your garden or backyard. Not only is the act of gardening itself one of the most effective ways to boost your happiness and ease stress, but this will transform your home for the better, too.

With that in mind, here are some top tips for turning your garden into a peaceful sanctuary.

Start by tidying it up. If your garden is overgrown with weeds and debris, this is hardly the kind of space you’ll be able to relax in. As such, the first step toward turning your garden into a peaceful sanctuary is to clean it up a little. One way you can achieve this goal is by using a cordless weed eater, which will save you a lot of time and energy when it comes to keeping your garden looking its best.

Repaint your fence. Repainting your fence will not only help when it comes to making your garden look nicer, but choosing a soft, pastel shade can also turn your yard into a place of peace and serenity. Be sure to apply several coats of paint and varnish to ensure the color lasts for years to come, though this is something that you will need to top up from time to time.

You can also apply this paint to any other wooden furniture or fixture within your garden, such as benches and even your shed.

Create winding pathways. If you’re going to be using pathways or borders to separate your garden into distinct sections (such as a place to entertain guests, a place to practice yoga, and a place to grow flowers), try creating winding, curved pathways over sharp, angular ones. Believe it or not, this will create a space that feels a lot more peaceful.

Hang wind chimes. While your garden is the perfect place to listen to birdsong or the rustling of leaves, hanging windchimes can also be useful when it comes to creating a space that feels both peaceful and harmonious. This is because “when we hear relaxing sounds like wind chimes, our heart rate lowers, our breathing slows down, and our muscles relax.” This is a particularly great choice for those who want to practice yoga and meditation outdoors, as it can serve as the perfect accompaniment to this kind of soulful activity.

Make your garden an attractive space for wildlife. If you want to truly connect to nature when spending time in your garden, make sure that you are creating a space that attracts the attention of insects and wildlife. For the most part, this is achieved through growing a wide range of bright and sweet-smelling plants and flowers. You could also hang bird feeders and water baths strategically throughout your garden.

Set up a comfortable seating area. Setting up a comfortable seating area is another way in which you can set about turning your garden into a peaceful sanctuary. If you’re renovating your garden on a budget, you will likely be able to find this furniture second-hand, or you could even try your hand at making your own. Ideally, you should place your furniture in a shaded area so that you have a little protection against the sun when spending time outdoors.

Build a sunroom. Building some kind of sunroom or greenhouse is another great way to turn your garden into the perfect relaxation space. It can also add considerable value to your home, making it worth investing your time and energy.

Stay on top of your gardening duties. Unfortunately, gardening is not the kind of home improvement activity that you can do once and not need to do again for several years. You need to stay on top of your duties and responsibilities throughout the entire year if you want the space to remain both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Not only that, but the longer you ignore these tasks, the more stressed you’ll become when trying to tackle them. For this reason, you should make sure you stay on top of your gardening, such as by writing down a weekly to-do list.

Final thoughts. Whether you’re looking for the perfect space to carry out your morning yoga session or to read a few pages of your book during a sunny day, there are many benefits associated with turning your garden into your very own personal oasis! Not only that, but the process of transforming your garden can also be a lot of fun.

Picture credit:

quiet garden (intro) // Robin Wersich

whimsical garden lounge // Ahmed

soil digging using garden shovel // Lisa

clay wind chimes // Niroz Shrestha

This is a collaborative post.

It's time to call the garden noise police because...

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 17:11:00 +0000

The time there is noise pollution in the public garden and my ears can't take it...

There's a part of me that sometimes goes into writing mode while I walk out in nature. Like today for example, the breeze and the bright evening sun come together in a spectacular manner that hits the canopies of trees, foliage, hedges and bushes in the way that has me absorbed into the moment that all I am for the frozen moment was a breathing thing. I could be a bird, bee, beetle, man, woman, stone, water or flower, moss, fungus, mushroom, anything - as the boundaries in all things thinned out. For a second of course, then I'm back to getting spooked by rustling desiccated leaves thinking some lunatic may be hiding in waiting to sneak up on me with a nefarious reason. Well, I do love to digress now, don't I?

Anyway...

On to this walking outfit I happened to wear a few walks ago. Nothing too bold. Just a beige top, the same old airy elephant pants, waist bag and sneakers.

Let me tell you about the kind of walker/jogger types that I see on my routine walking slash people-watching. It's nice to simply observe people in their elements. Some are super silent, the kind of people I enjoy seeing (and ignoring) as they put their limbs into movement. Some are a little noisy but I suspect they're just trying to be polite to signal by a stomp of their sneakered feet that they are in the vicinity. Some are very obnoxiously loud parents with unruly kids that I often wonder if some of them are actually hearing-compromised.

My apologies, if they are...but I really do think the ones that have big yappy mouths in my local garden park are just used to running their mouths loudly in their homes they forgot that the public area is where other people come to share the space. I'd much rather hear crows making a loud commotion but the other day, one crow wasn't too happy with my presence that it (I don't know their gender) tried to shoo me by swooping so close to my head.

And that is precisely why, I insist carrying umbrella just for funsies. The umbrella offers a creative way to block my sight from directly looking at other people's faces when I'm feeling very introverted. It is a great wind-breaker to block aggressive winds with accompanying debris and lately, a protection against a crow bird's territorial attack. I think it's a mama crow with new babies so I've already forgiven the bird for giving me a spook.

A little clip of me moving about:

See you in the next one, folks!

Let me yammer on + walking outfit

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:57:00 +0000

The time there was yammering to do.

There were many interesting (I'd like to think so) thoughts that came by visiting my mind when I was not actively writing. They come and make a little fuss and then go and I forget them. I wish there's a way to write in a way that uses no physical activity on my part (verbally speaking out thoughts is too draining for me). That's the ultimate way of writing in the future, I guess. Just think, and it's written. Then, everyone's an instant writer. The result of a story may have vary but hey, every one of us is a little story teller. I like to yammer about when I type and must confess that it's a kind of art. To yammer on and on and get myself interested in what I am yammering on about (while the reader may have long clicked off). Well, I promise myself to keep at it. Till the brain goes kaput. Heh.

About the outfit:

On this particular walking day, I wore an elephant head top, my waist bag, a pair of black leggings and a plaid shirt tied around the waist. The day was overcast but I wanted something to be shielding my eyeballs so I chose the transparent sunny instead of the tinted ones. The day had a cool undertone to it so that would explain why I was somewhat layered for a tropical day of walking. My hair was still short at this time and as I am typing now, the hair is currently hitting my collarbone. I miss my bob hair days but I can't say I miss my itchy neck. It appears that my neck is sensitive enough that when the hair grows out to hit the area, it just aggravates my already naturally-heaty neck. I had to stop cutting my hair into a bob and let the ends grow downwards so it can escape the neck region.

How odd but I usually sport a shaggy lob so goodbye to the bob hair cut of 2024. I'm excited for my wavy side to come through. Instead of chopping the length, I had just spontaneously lobbed the front part of my hair last night as I was inspired by the fringe spotted on a Youtuber I follow lol. I thought she looked cute with the wavy bangs and with that said, my bangs are looking bangin' too but let's hope the forehead retains a cool atmosphere so that I can wear and celebrate my short fringe a long, long time. I think my chopping about 2 inches off has taken out a lot of weight from the front part of my hair. I might just get the weight out of the middle part of my hair and leave the length alone. I really might, when the time is right.

Let's just stop yapping now so I can showcase the last snap of the casual walking attire that I happen to be wearing one evening in the dusty past.

This outfit; It's not just for walking, mind you. The OOTD is versatile enough to get one into a quiet café to zone out, a bustling corner farmer's market to retrieve your favorite cumin powder, a noisy library if you're up for some sensory assault, a playground if your kids are restless and in need of good old sunshine and breeze and well, you get it, on and on. I could list more things to drag it all out for funsies but let's not do that.

Anyhow, here's a clip of me showing my walking outfit when it's sunny but still a little bit cold.

Till the next one, I wish you many fresh breezy days and nights with a good dose of sunshine and twinkling skies filled with stars and perhaps, something enchanting from outer space.

I get really hungry during the monsoon

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:34:00 +0000

The time I share with you my tropical summer outfit for walking and it features my very soft blue tie dye pants.

I have been appreciating red light as a way to get my eyes soothed while I type away or browse the internet on the screen. It's funny how red light is actually great for night vision. My eyeballs truly do work seamlessly when harsh lighting is reduced. It's been a dark three day spell with the rain clouds continuously sprinkling here in old town Malaysia. Weather like this can be a recipe for low energy but alas, I just drank a cuppa coffee and I hope to munch gladly on a piece of curry puff. I've had dinner earlier but rainy days have cranked up my appetite. I like to find myself eating and then thinking about what else is there for me to eat.

Luckily though, I am blessed with a high metabolism. Being older and grumpier now, I have become thoroughly selective with my food and can get quite specific with what I want to eat. I think it's a blessing to be able to whine about such a thing. I hope all of the world can whine together right now about the food we get to eat and be extra selective. With the flooding that's happening here, our vegetables will be priced higher because of the rainy season. I ate quite a lot of vegetables last night that I don't really want to think about vegetables today. Perhaps, an apple. A compact-sized Granny Smith will do. With Greek yogurt. I love Greek yogurt. Yes, why not? Wow, alright, that's enough, of me blabbering...

Right on to the purpose of this entry. Before the year's over, here' a walking outfit of mine that I'm very happy and glad to share. It was comfy and totally perfect for the hot day that it was when I was wearing the ensemble. It is made up of a pair of reflective sunglasses, a lightweight umbrella, green tank top, waist bag, blue tie dye pants and blue walking shoes. I wore this for a very scorching hot and windy day walk.

Let's look at the images now, shall we?

Love it when I go to the park and it's quiet. It's really nice to stand around in the green and feel the wind rustle and trees whisper all around me.

The umbrella is well-suited for windy days as it will flip the opposite way should the wind decide to blow straight right into it. When I found out about it, I was in awe!

I love the walking shoes as they're totally cozy and my feet appreciate a huggable pair of sneakers!

I need more pants of this variety as it's like soft cloud all wrapped around my lower half that can get randomly heaty for no reason.

That's all folk! You shall see me in another post, in the future! Thank you for spending your time here. Do leave a comment, if you would like to!

PS: My aging eyeballs now take some time to adjust to different levels of lighting and from changing distances. I take my eyeballs for a walk for this very need to alternate between looking far into the distance and then looking closely. It's not just the legs that get to exercise but it's imperative that my eyeballs get to relax and constrict. Middle years are no joke. I think I'm grieving some aspects of my youth. Not that I'm super old, or anything. I just notice little physiological things that definitely are evolving like for some reason, my feet - how they get crampy in airconditioned settings and when the toes start to stretch in a strange manner because it has happened a few times. Talking about that, allow me to go and hydrate.

To wrap this entry up, here's a little animated me:

Cheers <3

When the knits come out you know it's the monsoon

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 15:37:00 +0000

The time I wear a thrifted outfit suited for the monsoon (if it's not humid, that is, because hey, it's tropical Malaysia..)

Hi peeps! How are you? I'm back with another outfit entry. It is one of those thrifted ones that was left in the queue. I did not like some aspects of it especially how raggedy my hair looked so that was one reason it was left in the dark. And the sandals didn't complement the outfit (lol),but I'm going to request for you to ignore the hair and hope it's not too distracting. I have really bad hair days. Don't we all. And now that I'm in my mid years, I realize that I'm entering a second puberty with my hormones all over the place coupled with my wanting to eat all kinds of carbs triggering a marvelous jaw acne situation that is relentless but hey, I shall persevere. This is the season to be accepting of all kinds of skin eruptions.

So, about the outfit: It's a thrifted find comprising of a maroon knit top with spaghetti straps and a floral lined A-line skirt that is definitely not for hot days because the fabric is specifically heat-insulating. The color scheme of the floral skirt is so autumnal (with orangey tones) and it is of course perfect for autumns but here in Malaysia, the reality is there is no such thing. The skirt is made for the rare cool weather or when one happens to be in an airconditioned environment.

With the progression of my age as in my ever expanding years here on Earth, I have find myself to experience a very fluctuating internal temperature situation. I can be very heaty to the point of dripping sweat and then all of a sudden get cold that I need layers. I'm either feeling desert temps that I can't stand wearing anything or get super chilly I will be wrapped in layers. You must understand that I now know to celebrate when I happen to be in very optimal temperature-wise. Don't think it's important for everyone to know (I know) but for my ladies, hey, I know some of us are experiencing it! The cardigan is from my mom and so it's super ancient. Also knitted and super nice to wear when it's cold out or when I'm internally freezing for some reason.

Lately, I have been listening to Chet Baker to relax and generally, because there's something about that music. Music can really take you to places and memories (not just of mine) of other people and places that are fictional. I'd like to say that it gets me nostalgic but it really isn't, at times. It's a kind of mood that is just imaginative with perhaps a dash of the past. It is from the past that we learn and then venture on forward. It is from the present moment where something creative is born. Well, folks, I'll leave you with that thought this rainy November.

By the way, talking about rainy November: Don't you just love Prince's song Purple Rain. I think it's a vibe. A total vibe. A mood of the moment. A moment embodied in a mood. I suggest you listen to it right about now ;)

Before I go, here's a little animated me acting demure (lol):

Thank you for popping by! See you in another one!

You know it's scorching hot when the billowy elephant pants return

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:44:00 +0000

The time the elephant pants return and I'm here for the flowy tropical vibes!

Hi peeps, how are you? I'm back with another casual outfit perfect for a summer day strolling here in tropical Malaysia.

The top is a new black sleeveless one from my mom. The pants are from a long time back and remain one of my top favorite pants to wear on a hot and breezy day. It's made of light cotton and just billows with the wind but it has scrunches around the ankle in a way that is comfy on my skin. I am the kind of person that cuts off tags on clothes and have very low tolerance for seams that dig into the skin. So for these pants to have scrunched up ankle cuffs that just work with my fleshy ankles, it's just so heaven-sent! I love when a random pair of pants just magically match my shape and just go with a style vibe I have in mind. I think we all do, don't we?

Anyway, here are some shots from a short vid of myself enjoying the perfect garden weather on that particular day already lost in history.

That's all for now, folks! I have to go to cool off because I'm in need for a little night time breeze.

See you in the next one, but first, here's a bit of me moving about to show you how airy the pants can be.

Where have you gone old Internet?

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 13:35:00 +0000

The time I was just rambling...

Hello peeps! It's 2024, and I'm still here. Typing away. Sometimes, it feels like I am trying to recapture the feeling of my past self. The many variations of it but here alas, I am typing these words as myself in the present moment. The year's about to wrap up and it sure is quite something. Older in age hopefully wiser, I hope I will keep this blog going because it's a space where I can just type anything away and feel like I have accomplished something. LOL. I am way less excited than before about sharing outfits but I still love to ramble away and this blog is the right place for it. Rambling is such a therapy. A way to write something in the sands of time and before I know it, I've forgotten about it thanks to the progression in age and the reduction of my own tolerance for BS (from others and especially myself). I can really sit in the moment and almost bury myself in that moment. Before some kind of distraction comes my way.

Usually, of course, it's in the form of thoughts. They just pop up around and then go around and continue endlessly until I get myself involved in a physical task at hand. I especially enjoy focusing on driving but there seems to always be space that we hear ourselves play narrator or commentator of something. But all become vague tendrils of wispy smoke or fog disappearing into the ether.

I confess, the internet's experience isn't the same as it used to be. There's something empty about going into the blogging space especially. I miss when people really do blog! Just for the fun of it. Sure, there still a few blogger peeps I dearly follow for their fun updates and content, in general, lots of these spaces have become rather sterile. I hope this blog maintains a craziness and freedom of thought that it always was about and hopefully will still be.

When I was a youngster, thoughts used to simply lay down on me like a ton of bricks and I was smothered by them. In contrast to the present state of my older 'self' I no longer feel them that way because the space in between thoughts and 'self'' has widened so that I can entertain thoughts without really be invested in them. Of course, we're in his plane of reality so when I am elaborating about say, a recipe I develop on a whim, I will write the thoughts about that recipe in a way that is to be perceived 'tangibly' so one can work with the ingredients. However, I am very much prone to being unable to zone in on a specific amount because I cook through instinct (after watching tons of cooking videos, that is) and thus, am presented with unexpected cooking outcomes.

Since I usually am the person I cook for, I have to take in the critics arising from my own brain cells. When the tummy is full but the critic is cursing, one notices that sometimes, this business of living is all about contrasting elements that can't help but to go with one another. So, there is no appreciating of one thing without some opposite thing to remind us that all these things are nothing without all that other things that can be sheer bothersome. Lesson: appreciate the bother, be unbothered by the bother, bother the unbothered. Be a bother!

Well now, that's a serious sign for me to end this blabbering entry. I will be seeing 'you' in the next one!

But first, here's another snap of gorgeous coconut trees and some blue skies to tickle your eyeballs:

What thoughts do you have there in your mind? Share if you're feeling up for it!

No two days are the same

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:24:00 +0000

The time I wore something print on print to go for a sunny day stroll...

Today's the total opposite of yesterday. It's hot and clothing just isn't right for wearing but alas, something light is fantastic and getting situated in the AC is genius. Yesterday was so cold our cat wanted to be near the buzzing TV because he sensed the everlasting warmth there but only for a bit because he came back to cool off on the cool tiled floor. Today's heat sent a monitor lizard into the forest. It must have been hot even in the water where it came from. I sat near the coconut trees in the quiet and absorbed the sun before people's noises started to aggravate my sensitive ears. Can't blame them. The playground was right behind me. So I swiftly left the area. In different contexts, with a different sensitivity level, I wouldn't mind sitting amongst the shrieking kids and screaming parents. Sometimes, if not most of the time, the quiet draws me in like a fluffy cloud. Not that I had been hugged by a cloud before so forgive me for my fictional imagination. I am imagining the kind of cloud that is in cartoons, kind of Casper (the ghost)-like. Well, even that is another imagining from the old movie with Christina Ricci.

Anyway folksies..let me get back to the purpose of this entry:

In today's post, I present to you a casual outfit I came up with for a casual stroll in the garden. It was a whimsical one. A way to do a print on print. I did not particularly like the way the pants fall on my torso but on a hot day, a breezy trouser just felt good even if this one looked too floppy on the outside.

The thrifted op is sleeveless and in mustard yellow stripes. I had a mirrored sunglass on and shoes were a dreamy blue that I wear practically everywhere because why not, the sneakers are comfy and designed for a lot of walking/jogging.

Some pictures:

And finally, here's an old me in animated form:

That's all for now. I hope you've all eaten good and taken yourself out for a breath of nature's air. I know sometimes, the weather stinks but wear appropriate outfit, stay dry if it's pouring. Stay hydrated if it's dry #lol

Faux leather is useless + I read 2 books at the same time

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 14:42:00 +0000

The time I wear a kaftan top with a thrifted blue denim skirt and a cute sandal that's falling to pieces because of the useless faux leather.

I am noticing that my essays perform better than the outfit posts. In a way, I am really happy to know that the readership of the blog actually is here to read! But is my outfit showcase boring? Perhaps, when it's a content that is mostly centered around imagery there's nothing much to read there except for a quick scroll through. In any case, I must say I'm grateful that some of you really do come by to read my rantings. It's quite a motivating thing but I also must say that I tend to like to ramble when the mood strikes. It can be about garbage bins or the weather.

Anything in between, there's always rambling to do when my fingers hit the keyboard and I happen to be on my blog. But today, I shall be sharing something I'd just worn just now for the benefit of today's entry. I have tons in my outfit queue but I'm going to show you something fresh from the oven so to speak. #lol

The kaftan top is a recent gift from my brother and his wife. It's actually my sister's but she swapped this with what was supposed to be mine so this one's mine for now until another swap happens. The green color seemed too bold for her preference and I don't mind the green as it has a bit of a Rasta vibe, with a sprinkle of baroque print in the mix, in my opinion but that's just me.

I paired the airy summer kaftan top from Sabah with a thrifted blue denim skirt and a disintegrating beige sandal. Don't you just loathe PU-made things. They just crumble and is practically ridiculous. The main reason I no longer buy bags crafted from synthetic leather. Absolute waste!

Anyhow, I'm feeling quite ranty now but the outfit story is just that. I kind of stood around with the cat by the porch as it poured heavily. Aiden wasn't a fan of the weather and neither was I. But the rain stopped and I escaped into the garden for a brisk walk until it poured again. Wet shoes and socks killed the vibe totally but I'm fine. The feet is dry now as I type away excitedly.

I'm reading two books at the moment. One is by Scott Barry Kaufman - Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization and the other: The Ascent of Information by Caleb Scharf.

Both are super interesting! I'm glad the town's library is still there.

Here's a little animated me:

Till the next one, hope you have all drank a good drink or in the midst of making one. It's best to stay hydrated in this hot weather. Or stay warm if it's nippy where you are. Dressing, drinking and eating that fits the weather is the best thing to do!

Blessings be on your way <3

Has the modern library become noise-inclusive?

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 16:57:00 +0000

The time I think libraries ought to be quiet sanctuaries and unfortunately find out that the one nearest for a regular visit is in actuality far from the cocoon it seemed to be in my nostalgic past.

Confession: The old library in town needs to reassess its level of quiet because it's not giving the old quiet vibe I grew up with. This year had me stepping into the concrete cave of knowledge and I'm miffed to notice that it's unnecessary filled with all sorts of noises but could it be that my ears have developed extra sensitivity from being mostly away from the usual noise of the public? I think both can be true at the same time.

I've always thought libraries to be a perfect sanctuary of quietness but no longer that is the case with my old town's one. It's more like a a place of a some type of low-level noise with a lot of distraction depending on where one chooses to allocate oneself.

Today, at my local library, the most quietest nooks designed for hardcore introverts had been taken up by other library folks so I found myself at the more extroverted seating environment that had a comfy sofa. I read a page and was about to do a selfie until I started to get distracted by every little sound. From the papers being loudly rustled by an enthused reader to an acute raspy sound escaping from a throat of a man engulfed by newspaper; the seating position I found myself in was just splendid for quietly judging other people's inability to be completely quiet.

One of the books I had the pleasure of reading. A small book that packs a whole punch of wisdom!

One young lad with bouncy curls strolled in with his shoes slamming the ground like he was making a grand runaway entrance. Another is sprawled on her bean bag loudly fighting with her stationery, eyes fixed to the screen of her laptop. Some can be seen to be brazenly asleep...on and around the darn bean bags!

At this point, I hadn't yet ventured up to the second floor but that would be high on the list because it is extremely vital to find the quietest region for me relax into a deep trance reading mode. There was a corner for kids and I was there for a bit when I first came in and happy to see there were plenty of quiet tent-like structure for the little ones whose need for solitude was high.

So very hauntingly written and is a highly recommended read.

Once I got myself to the book section that I'm usually into, I made it a point to just roam fanatically within the same area but I made a note in my head that I was going to spruce it up by embarking up the escalator to a hopefully properly silenced section om my next visit.

In my ancient head, I remember libraries to be deathly still aside from a delightful rustling of pages and that is the kind of silence I get very thrilled about. The silence that folds back into itself that one can be absorbed into the silence itself. I miss that. Optimistically, I hope to find a divinely silent space on the second floor although I'm certainly not holding my breath. I shall remind myself to lower my expectation to the lowest point possible.

A book filled with inspirational wise words from a young writer that comes with gorgeous illustrations!

I'm still super grateful to have free physical books to borrow and read. And more importantly, the library itself is still open, considering the weird times we're living in. So, thank you, old town's library. Even though you're a mix bag of noises, I will still let my presence be felt through the dusty shelves of books until the end of time.

In the meantime, I will find a spot in nature and make it my outdoor reading area...

Till the next one, here's a tree...

Do you visit your local library? What do you like about visiting a library? What puts you off? Tell me everything, if you're up for it. The comment box down below is open!

Thrifted top to toe: navy blue vest cardi + melange red/blue mini skirt

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:16:00 +0000

The time I wear a thrifted top to toe OOTD.

Hey folks, how are you? It's been a lovely day here today after previous days with bouts of rain. Being the old sunny lady, I was feeling the temperature. As per usual, good weather had the legs of mine ready for a walk and it was a gloriously breezy day, the kind that gets the bob head of hair mine to flip here and there. I must admit, it was utterly divine.

It's been a while since I posted my last OOTD. This one's a really random one comprising of thrifted things that are actually pretty textured in fabric appearance. The top, vest and skirt are some variation of knits to wear for a cute little preppy thrifted vibe. I decided to wear these clothes together with the sandals in a combination never done before.

The thrifted navy blue vest buttons only at the waist in 4 golden button arrangements. The neckline is kept v-neck and long which is elongating. The white top worn underneath is no longer that white but it's sleeveless and adds a purposeful contrast.

The skirt is a unique one in my closet as I don't really have something like this. It is a lined knit mini skirt with a splash of colors that are crafted in the melange design style, I believe. The hem is rendered raw and fringy. I quite like it but it's not for hot days because the inner lining can really be heat-trapping. It's fine for cold environments, natural or man-made.

That said, the sandals are summer sandals in brown. I believe a casual white sneaker would be another great footwear for this and of course, a dressy shoe would lend a totally different vibe to it.

Last but not the least, here's an animated version of me and our furry angel, Aiden:

That's all for now, folks. I'm off to cook something. Hope you've eaten something good and that your day has been fantastic. Or if you're about to close your eyeballs, don't forget to count your blessings and say a prayer of gratitude.

Till the next one, stay hydrated, be fiercely you, get outside whenever outside is calling you!

Poem of the moment: Days like these

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 09:24:00 +0000

The time there's a poem after a long time!

I don't know why but this poem came to me and then I find myself here, typing it away, beautifying it a little bit and having it to be read by those who find themselves in this space.

May your reading of it send some kind of peace, comfort and inspiration your way.

Days Like These

There are days like these
for slowly nursing a hot drink
with the sound of mostly whirring
of the things that make up
the background noise of living
minus anyone talking

there are days like these
that seemingly stretch lazily
in the quiet of my heart
and the silence of my breathing

there are days for these
lingering within
and without
sending thank yous
up to the skies
whether they grumble
or make nice

there are days to notice
the sweetness of a bird
singing so rambunctiously
outside the window
when half of my awareness is
still cradled by sleep

there are days for these
simplest kinds of being
in the moment to
notice that days like these
go quickly by
to rest in the arms of time

Elephants pants here we go but where do forgotten umbrellas go?

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 15:32:00 +0000

The time my long lost elephant pants made a return and we went for a casual stroll!

Hi folks! Guess what, it's another day for another entry. I thank you for still coming back to check this old blog out. I know it's ancient but I'm still out here blogging because I really enjoy it. I don't know if you know but most probably not because nobody remembers lost garments of other people. I wear this a long time back. The pair of airy & billowy elephant pants. Because of the stuffed situation on my closet, I lost the pants in the great tangle of clothes but fortunately, the pants decided to show up one fine day and it was a perfect there to wear them out. So yay! For me.

For the casual walk that day: I kept the outfit loose and casual to match the tropical weather. The top is a thick cotton in a relaxed silhouette that is of a muddy grey color. The green elephant pants are especially billowy and perfect for the hot and humid weather. The umbrella is in my favorite shade of cloudy grey but unfortunately, no longer around at this point of me writing these words.

For the life of me, I don't know what happened to it. I carry the umbrella while walking on that day because it can get blinding as the sun shines bright and high in the sky in the evening. My blue walking shoes add a random pop of vibrant color to the casual walking attire.

Enough about my casual walking garb, let's talk about you. How are you doing there today? It's been raining after it was scorching hot in the early parts of the day and now it's rather cold at night. I just spent some quality time with our furry angel cat, Aiden out by the porch and after a few moments of staring in adoration at the bright waxing moon and a sprinkle of twinkling stars, I headed back inside to raise my temperature with a cuppa tea. In Malaysia these days, the weather is a mixed bag of things recently but alas, I am grateful for another blessed day.

My current bob hair length is shorter than pictured because I had grown adventurous with the scissors and razor comb. I will show you how short it is now. Check it out:

A bit of animated me to end this entry:

As for the grey umbrella that disappeared, a poem:

Oh why and where did you go, little grey umbrella yo?
Is there a place where forgotten umbrellas hang out
where you have gone to stay
before you become a shelter for someone...
on a miserably humid but pouring day?

Beauty in the mundane

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 17:52:00 +0000

The time there's no water yet I still head out for a walk because this ancient soul needs a bath of breeze and sunshine.

Hey, it's June! Where did May go? Omg, time speeds up like nothing and I'm amazed by it. Do you feel how time flies too? It's something to notice. Though there was no water just now because of some pipe repair at the neighbor's place, I still managed to step out of the house and get some sunshine, whatever's left of it because the days have been quite intensely broody. There's nothing like a lot of grey to get one excited for some bit of Vitamin D and a random breeze, which I did get to absorb while out in the garden to walk as nature did her thing all around me.

Other humans were around too but not as many as during the holidays. I'm thankful to have tons of space to myself. The public garden is one of the way popular ones here and it's got a little magic in it that I find myself drawn to brisk walking in circles all around the place. The birds can be charming little croaking critters and among the crow birds, there are many fluffy pigeons and little pipits and giant crane birds and eagles which I have been blessed to spot. There's fish, turtle and even the gorgeous monitor lizard. They are all happy to be home where they are.

Intermission: I need to eat. I'm famished. It's that time of the month, again. To remind me: I am quite the biological woman #lol

I am back:

For some reason, reading the previous line before I left to slurp a bowl of tomyum spaghettis reminded of an old story when I was a wee thang. Pre kindergarten years. I imagined myself playing pretend as a boy for the whole day because I decided that I would do that the night before. I don't think anything was especially different in my experience except that I wanted people to refer to me as a 'bro' and that was it. It's something funny I did/pretended to be that is still stuck in my head. Hoping that I will still be able to recall this particular story when I turn into my golden years. Oh my goodness, sorry folks. I go into a random tangent because I tend to let whatever that comes in the headspace go on the blogspace. Most of it is mundane but that's because there is beauty in the mundane, isn't it?

There I go again. Ok, for goodness' sakes: Let's now get into the casual walking outfit.

Yup, it's another walking outfit. A repeat of sorts. Just an old owl tee, sunnies, blue sports cropped leggings, blue sports shoes and my bobbing bob hair. Oh and a waist bag/fanny pack to chuck a few vital things.

That's it! And here's a little of me in motion:

I hope you're all in the pink of health and if you're under the weather, let yourself rest so your body can recover. Till the next one, take precious care <3

Trees are falling & my hair is bobbing

noreply@blogger.com (shanaz@RS) — Fri, 17 May 2024 13:35:00 +0000

The time I show you a whimsical walking outfit that has animal print and a shorter hair because it's not just summer here, it's sauna weather.

Even though I love being under the arms of trees on hot breezy evenings, the intermonsoon season has revealed that trees fall and can take you straight to the other side. It's quite a thing to notice how a tree slides from where it's been standing from within a vehicle. From within the buffered metal cave at a safe distance, the scene looks interestingly mild. I was in the car while a tree from the opposite side decided to come down while no vehicle was passing through that lane. From a safe distance buffered in a vehicle with its vehicular sounds, the tree sliding down in contrast was silent and almost 'soft' but in reality trees falling down on moving vehicles and people and structures can have a lethal effect.

Even though I kind of knew this but it was a knowledge acquired from a safe distance, in news or articles of other people perishing from a tree falling over them or with them inside a vehicle. It's been pouring and thundering during this time in Malaysia and trees are prone to falling. It's technically called uprooting as the soil gets super saturated with water that the roots are basically unable to hold on to mother earth and the tree becomes another object that loses its balance and topples down. These days, I find myself looking at tall trees when it gets too stormy and telepathically sending them thoughts: Please let me go through safely before coming down. #lol

About the outfit: the Bob Dylan tee is from ages ago from when the Reject shop used to be around. If my memory serves me, this old tee is from the time where malls were malling and trendy (as compared to now in my small town, it just has a different vibe altogether or that, I am just getting old. The pants were from my mom's pick from when we went shopping and aren't they just the cutest, in the fierce way that a wild cat wears her skin? There's a waist belt there in the middle from Karrimor. The walking shoes are the comfiest and the blue shade makes me happy.

I'm taking back what I said about the malls. The malls have definitely gone through a cycle because well, I've been in them in my growing up years where it's still all cash-centered and people only use phones for only necessary. Nowadays, there's a different vibe to it precisely because there's this thing that is getting in the way of simple interaction/communication.

A young girl working at the counter was asking me if I knew the pastry I was choosing the right one and I really didn't know what to say except that in my head I was telling her: if I was working there, I would, maybe? LOL. These are steamed red bean buns amid other steamed buns with other fillings. So, how would I know as I just stepped into the shop a few minutes ago. On a good note, I found that the hazelnut latte there was excellent.

Even though there's positive in things that speed up processes but I'm starting to think, some very vital things like common sense is slowly lagging as the robots take over. Just my two cents. Don't make me go on about the other time when I was attempting to communicate with a person minding the poultry area because I wanted to get some chicken wings and it felt like I was in a twilight zone...

My middle age era has officially started #LOL

A little bit of animated me standing around feeling my hair (it's now even shorter!):