2010 diaries

My diary for next year! This sweet book comes with illustrations inside, and no, it's not in bad"taiwanese" English either. It actually has some interesting information on shoes.

The only con is that it doesn't come with dates. I had to invest 20minutes of my life painstakingly filling in the dates for next year. It also has no calendar. Guess I'll have to stick a small one on it so that I can keep track of dates.

This is the other diary I bought for 2011. Haha, hilarious that I'm planning my days so far ahead. Ooh...I must be a 'futurologist'. (In case you're wondering, it actually is a word for some people who are very good at predicting events. Alvin and Heidi Toffler are a couple of them.). Anyway, I liked both very much and couldn't decided (fickle me) so I got both. I especially liked that this Paris book is square.

And it has photos. Sorry the pics are upside down, but I'm feeling too lazy to edit. Just turn your screen the other way ok?

If you wanna get hold of these, they're at Artbox at Bugis Junction. You can't get them anywhere else; they're designed in-house. Cool eh?

Grandchild

Just came across this store at Bugis Junction level 2 while exercising. Exercising? Yeah...my credit card!! I reckon all the walking I do passes off as exercise too...after all, it gets my heart rate up when I discover good buys!

Anyway, I was wondering about the name of this store and it turned out that the owner had a granddad she respected who was a tailor, and was inspired by him. It felt like kinda a queer name to me, but I loved their merchandise. They have quirky stuff like a pen disguised as toothpaste, or one-off nerdy plastic glasses, knick knacks that takes time to figure out, and even a vintage telephone on the counter for customers (that means me!) to use.

The store looks even cuter now, with a green strip of 'grass' at the little black house'. Their clothes are mostly interesting with a relaxed, cool vibe. Some come in one piece only, and are rather individualistic. Some earrings are really uber cute. Check out the store for yourself!

My Chic White Earring Organizer

 

Tadah....my WHITE earrings organizer as promised. See my previous entry for the ugly copper version. After inhaling 3/4 of a can of white spray paint fumes, my labour of love finally bore fruit. Looks like I need more earrings. It looks quite bare. If you're getting one too, just take not it's not wonderful for hoop earrings or stud earrings.

Retail Therapy

I realize I haven't been writing on this blog since April, but I have been indulging in quite a bit of retail therapy and it's confession time. Besides the things that I need for my existence, I have been letting my wallet loose for some pent-up (ahem) procurement. Let's see...impulse buys I got this month:

1. Black Horsehair Leather Bag. I lurve this bag to death! It has a lock and keys to it, a name card holder, and small attached pouch inside and an extra strap. Okay I know the lock and keys are really just gimmicks, but I dig them for the frivolity. I'm so inspired to design some bags like this. Already came up with my leopard print horsehair pouch sample. Can't wait for the goods to arrive...

2. Purple Woven Nubuck Bag. This one I haven't got around to using yet. Wait for your turn, nubuck!

3. Bobbi Brown Eye Shimmer. I rationalize this buy as timely for the holiday season. In fact, I might just buy the purple colour too. Comes as no surprise that purple is one of my fav colours.

4. 2 white blouses from Southhaven in linen and cotton. Will photograph when i wear them. The salesgirl advises me to wear a beige bra underneath as the blouses are slightly translucent. Hmmm...hope it won't show too much.

5. A black/white skirt and a see-thru blouse from Island Shop (below). A lot of work went into the embroidery at the hem. I haven't figured out when to wear this, or what to pair it with yet, seeing that it's all translucent. It'll come.

6. OxyMask that bubbles up when applied. I love the feeling as it fizzles on my face and my skin feels so smooth and fresh afterwards. Worth every dollar of the $98 it cost.

7. A earrings organizer that I intend to spray-paint white. Rustic copper is sooo not me!

8. Coloured daily lenses from Freshlook. Okay, pure vanity here. Somehow this is the only type of coloured lenses that doesn't make me wanna rub my eyeballs out. The rest get my eyes so dry I start tearing after a few hours. Once, having got stuck at a recording studio doing some editing work, I was so desperate I removed my purple (haha, you caught me again) lenses,  and went home severely myopic.

9. Another quirky jacket from GG5. This one hasn't found its way into my wardrobe yet. But I'm lusting after this polka-dotted jacket with the pointed shoulders that's so 'in' this season. Will exercise some self-control and wait a couple of weeks for a glimmer of the "SALE" word. Actually there's another chiffon pleated short skirt that I've got my eye on from GG5 again. Somebody restrain me!

Hong Kong Film Awards

The film awards on Sunday 19th April saw some celebs dressed to the nines. Picked out a few of my personal favourites who got their threads right...

Whoever would have known that Sandra Ng, the slapstick comedian, would be able to look so glam in her lace dress. I love the way she wore the shoulder dusters with her slick short hair.

This is Tang Wei of Lust Caution fame. Her red ruffled toga dress is very fetching plus with the diamente clutch it's just perfect!

Monica Mok in a nude (very in colour) chiffon dress that remotely resembles a nightie. Only trouble is the cleavage looks slightly suffocated and the outline of her boyshorts underneath the skirt.

The babelicious Lin Chiling from Red Cliff in her beautiful, pleated gown. She does look like she's too thin for her dress cos it looks like it's falling off!

Hong Kong actor Liu Kai Chi won a Best Supporting Actor for his role in Beast Stalker..reliable actor who's been in countless movies. Glad he got another award for all the hard work.

Me on Sunday Times

Here's my feature on The Sunday Times Lifestyle on 5 April about the Stuff I Love. Had one or two other items that didn't make the page...sadly newspapers space is limited.

Giraffe or shoe?

Hey..check out this cool but bizarre shoe. Don't know the label but I'd never be caught dead wearing it!

Pretty Tops..Latest Arrivals at GG5 and Mango

My favourite high street brand, Mango never fails to churn out pieces that really flatter the female form. What I really like about this simple halter neck is the grosgrain ribbons. Makes me look like a prezzy. Also, check out the little detailing along the waist that nips in the fabric to give you a tighter fit. Comes also in bright turquoise. I got the last XS at SGD30.

From GG5, this pretty cami made of silk and chiffon is not my usual style, but the colour makes me look so fair, I had to get it, plus it might just go with my Guess high-waist white pencil skirt! This also comes in black. According to the sales girls, it's going fast at SGD $46.

Cotton On

Wanted the baby pink with black polka dots one but no size...sigh, navy will do.

Love the red gingham undies with the white trim and side bows 

And here's Tiger endorsing the purchase of this cute hot pink pair from Cotton On Body. It only cost me $5 with purchase of any item. When you put your feet onto these furry shoes, it feels like my feet died and went to heaven. Feel the velvety fabric enveloping your skin.

If you wanna grab a pair, they're available in several colours too. Click this to check out their locations internationally. They stock cute undies, bras and other lounge wear at pocket-friendly prices. Love the fun and bright prints they offer..

The main shop Cotton On sells clothes, belts and accessories at budget prices like 2 sweaters/tanks for S$19.90. It's usually poorly lit (maybe to save on electricity) and rather dusty (to save on manpower?) sometimes, but who can complain at prices like this. If you are in the mood to treasure-hunt, you might actually find some cool pieces

Stella MacCartney Spring/Summer Collection

Stella MacCartney's Spring Collection 2009 is to die for... she's a genius. This collection features some nude, neutrals and nautical looks that I really love. Just check out the sexy nude bustier dress in the first picture, with a mischievous layering detail on the skirt. The bag with the sails  cute too...so happy. Makes you wanna go to the beach like today! Remember to wear the matching dress!

Anyway the last pic is what you should be drooling about, assuming you're brave enough to risk some major exposure. Impossibly short with conch-shape cutouts, and a sexy off-shoulder, this dress will get you more than double-takes.

Check out the rest of her collection at www.stellamaccartney.com

Juicy Couture Fragrance

Got a 50ml bottle of Juicy Couture perfume. It's so pretty.,.the bottle comes with a chain-pendant on the cap and the packaging has a cute story about the founding of Juicy. The scent is a bit on the strong side for me, with overtones of jasmine and musk. Just a dash is enough for the day!

BCBG Max AzriaMax

This is the first time I got an occasion to wear my BCBG gown, which was bought some time ago. The venue is Conrad Hotel at a friend's wedding. I love the little train the gown has and the delicate silk fabric with colour graduations. Not to mention the high slit on the front. 

Not easy to photograph though. It's highly reflective and the play on light/shade contorts the body silhouette. The good part about it is that you can just wear a strapless bra and feel very comfortable in the halter neck.

And that's cute little Tiger again in a variety of poses.

My Nautical Look

Just bought this nautical striped off-shoulder top from Mango for a mere S$25. It's really flattering as the back is nipped in. I paired it with a short A-line skirt here, also from Mango and completed the look with white shoes and a red bag.

Am looking forward to getting those pants in my favourite shade of indigo to wear with the top!

Victoria's Secret Makeup

Victoria's Secret is here! Unfortunately, that's only the make-up range, not their babelicious lingerie. If you don't already know, it's available at Nuance-Watson stores at Changi Airport Terminal 3 and the Budget Terminal.

Talking about budget, if you're on one, get VS makeup at really reasonable prices. I bought this neutral lip gloss with a luscious pearl sheen that goes with almost anything. It makes lips look fuller and fills out lines at a price of S$12.95 only. Plus it has a mild fruity scent and minty sensation when applied. Great value for money I must say!

Love the girly packaging that makes you want to snap up everything in the hope of looking remotely like Heidi Klum. VS here I come!

SKii Signs Dual Treatment Mask

I tried this mask for the first today. Purported to keep us young through having different functions on the upper and lower portions. Top piece to ward off crow's feet and other irritating lines. Bottom piece to help with sagging. As with anything from SKii, this contains the all-powerful "secret" ingredient, Pitera (which by the way, makes the Miracle Water smell like rotten bananas). This mask smells ok, for the record.

Application was pretty simple. Just rip open the package in 2 places and pat the pieces on your face. I must admit that after putting on the second piece, I found my nostrils being obstructed (looks like these masks were made for people with long noses), and there was a bit of my cheek which couldn't be covered no matter how i tugged. 

Okay, so does it work? Yup yup. After lying down with obstructed airway for some time, i took it off, washed up and tadah...my skin looked fairer and felt softer. Guess would have to repeat the experience for more lasting effects.

Btw, don't waste the precious fluid...slather it all over your neck and other parts. Put that pack into the fridge for a refreshing touch.

Ratings: 4/5

Smell and texture: 4/5

Ease of Use: 5/5

Effectiveness: 4/5

Economical: 3/5