Miss No

Jumpsuit: Smooch the Label | Cape-blazer: Smooch the Label | Shoes: Shutz (Similar here) 

Bag: Mango (Similar here) | Ring: Jessica Buurman | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 

My mother always said 'no' was my favourite word.

'Want to try some [fruit that looks like the love-child of a hedgehog, a shoe and a piece of wood]?' 
'NO'
'Want to go to [cool place where people will be and socialising will take place]?'
'NO' 
'Want to play [fun game that will ultimately make me look like a wobbly noob]?' 
'NONONO!'

Totally my face

Pic from here

I said a big 'no' to wearing jumpsuits but here I am, wearing a jumpsuit. I couldn't help it. I succumbed to the cool print and the overall fashiony vibe. But I have to say, as cool as it is, it felt really ridiculous every time I went to the washroom. Undressing and then dressing yourself every time you need to pee is both silly and exhausting. And I drink a lot of water. I also have a slight fear that I forget to lock the door and someone walks in on me in nothing but my underwear. Or that the fire alarm goes off and I don't have enough time to get properly attired before running out of the burning building of doom.

Perhaps I should just save this piece for special occasions that last maximally 2 hours.

Anyway, here are a list of sartorial no's in my book. But I'm in a jumpsuit so who k(no)ws?

The-Emperor's-New-Clothes gown

Pic from here

Maybe if my bod were as rocking as Beyonce's then we'd be in business, but I just don't understand this sheer trend. It's like paying a lot of money for very little fabric.

The unitard

Pic from ASOS

Oh come on, even the name is stupid. I suppose I might wear this if I decide to turn to a life of burglary or ballet. Burglary seems much more likely. I have the grace of a drunken sea cucumber. 

Tie-dye anything

Pic from here

I just can't. If I had to describe my style as what it is not, I would start with 'Not hippie' first. 

Velour tracksuit

Pic from here

Maaaaaaybe I'd wear something like this in black on a plane... But I doubt it. I just can't carry this look off. Although I had a classmate in uni who wore these all the time, in so many different colours. I don't know why she never felt hot/like she was wearing pjs.

Anyway, not to be a hater, I think if you wear these things, then good on ya, I'm sure you look bangin' but I just can't imagine them on myself. But I said the same thing about jumpsuits, so I guess only time will tell.

Thanks for reading!

Girl, you'll be a woman soon (part 2)

  Top: Choies | Pants: FOS (Similar here) | Shoes: Koumi Koumi (Similar here)

Bag: Nine West (Similar here) | Lunch bag: Sugar Booger (Similar here) | Earrings: Old (Similar here)  

 

And now, the continuation to my previous post. To recap, Glamour Magazine had this article about what women should know and have by the age of 30 which we obviously know to take for absolute law. If you haven't gone around getting this list checked off, you must not be ready for REAL LIFE.

30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Know by the Time She's 30

 

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
Also important, how to not fall down or get lost.
2. How you feel about having kids.
No snarky response here. I respect all women and their decisions.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
a) Scream "I QUIT!" then pee on your boss' desk and run away. b) Scream "I QUIT!" then pee on your boyfriend's desk and run away. c) Scream "HOW DARE YOU PEE ON MY DESK?" then pee on her desk and run away.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
a) When you're trying to open a jar of pasta sauce and you've already boiled the pasta. b) After you've farted in a public space.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
I haven't managed to nail this one. Kissing to say 'I'm going to take a shower and then fall asleep' is really difficult.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
I could totally live alone as long as I had a dog or a few and then I could fulfill my dream of being a crazy dog lady.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
I don't find pretending that it's not happening very difficult. 
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
It's like they've never heard of plastic surgery or being really bossy and forcing people to do things against their wills.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
HALLELUJAH!
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
I have a friend who would eat a fish chip squashed in someone's armpit for money. I think she would probably do the same for love. I wouldn't do either. 
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
I think this is something you should know like at least by the age of 20. Honestly, it should just be known. 
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
a) My mom b) my mom when she says she bought me a donut c) it's in her nature to offer said donut to the three other people she's met prior to meeting me.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
SORRY NOT SORRY
15. Why they say life begins at 30.
Because they are bad at numbers. 

While these lists have some nuggets of wisdom, I would like to think that at the next milestone, whenever that is, the main thing you should have is moments of unadulterated happiness and to know that every person is different so checking off general lists of 'what we should know' is kind of silly. 

Thanks for reading! 

Girl, you'll be a woman soon

Top: Smooch the Label | Culottes: True Decadence | Shoes: ASOS

Necklace: Mango (Similar here) | Ring: Lovisa (Similar here) | Clutch: DKNY (Similar here)

As the 'baby' of the family, I am totally sheltered and I've been spoiled rotten by my mother and sister. When I go to restaurants with either of them, I don't even bother to look at the menu and just let them order food for me. My mother still makes my breakfasts.

So true-talk: I don't have any clue what it means to be an adult. So sometimes, when I come across lists that purportedly tell you just how you should behave, I go through the list and try to check it off as if it proves that I AM MATURE and that I KNOW THINGS.

Here's a list from Glamour Magazine that I found fun:
30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Know by the Time She's 30

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
Hmmmm. OBVIOUSLY yes to the latter! Screwwwww you you-know-who-you-are!!
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
Did I tell you I bought chairs recently??
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
How do you think Ryan Gosling feels about my birthday suit?
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
I don't know about you but I think it's really stupid to be ashamed to be seen carrying an umbrella. If it's raining, and I have a stupid umbrella, maybe I'd be all 'HAHA you don't have an umbrella cos you're too cool to be seen carrying the umbrella that reads "colon cleansing for everybody" or something and now you're just a wet judgyface human!!'
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
Neverrrrrrrrr
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
Hell yeah. *wink wink*
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
Oh crap.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
Who has a voice mailbox these days??
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
Of course (if you're my boss reading).
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
I even have the friend that makes me laugh till I cry. I win at life.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
That is such a weird list but yes I do happen to have those things and I use them concurrently because that is always how you should do home repairs.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
I'm a cheapo so everything is ridiculously expensive to me.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
HELL YEAH GIRL POWER!
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
Skin-care regimen - of course. Exercise routine - Sorta I routinely avoid it. A plan - Delusion is the plan.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.
I'm F*CKED

Anyway, my response to the second part of the list will be in my next post and I'm sure you'll be waiting with baited breath to see just how grown up I totally am.

Thanks for reading!

Loco for local

Dress: Uniqlo | Shoes: Linea Lidia by Luciano Padovan (Similar here) | Necklace: Modcloth | Ring: Gift from Wens (Similar here) | Sunglasses: Pieces

I wouldn't exactly call myself a music buff since I grew up in the era when Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls were all the rage. I was and always will be a teenybopper. However, when it comes to local Singaporean music, I've been a strong supporter and I can proudly claim that I'm pretty sure I know when I hear something good.

Cheating Sons is a local band comprised of 5 core members and their recently launched self-titled second album has been on my playlist on repeat. Their music is a mix of rock, indie, country, folk, blues...I don't know because I'm not some music buff and genres are stupid but they meld all sorts of influences neatly into an album of tracks that are mostly upbeat and great to jump around to while also being ripe with emotions and filled with raw intensity should you feel like sitting down and being emo instead. My favourite track from the album is 'Honeymoon' which is actually not as romantic as the title might lead you to believe.

The English local music scene here has been dominated by a some familiar favourites like The Sam Willows, The Great Spy Experiment, and Electrico, to name a few. Cheating Sons, while having been in the scene for a while, has always seemed a little more underground but I think their sound is a welcome addition to the Singaporean music landscape and so I hope they make it big. Their experimental nature brings in unexpected sounds courtesy of violins, banjos, saxophones and trumpets (and other instruments) and this makes for such a unique listening experience.

I really urge you to check them out. If you think this is just some crappy paid review, you'd be mistaken because come on, musicians don't make any money in Singapore. You can follow Cheating Sons on their Facebook page to get regular updates on gigs and you can also purchase their albums on their websites.

Thanks for reading!

Oh! One more thing! Also, please please please for the love of all things good and beautiful, check out Charlie Lim's music. The boo was playing it yesterday on Spotify and I'm basically in love now. His music is SO good. 

Ain't nothing but a hound dog

Top: Zalora | Dress worn as skirt: Country Road (Similar here) | Bag: Gracious Aires (Similar here)

Shoes: Sheinside | Necklace: Old (Similar here) | Ring: Twentyeight Lane | Sunglasses: Karen Walker

My hair is kind of weirdly naturally wavy on the right side of my head, while being quite straight on the left and it drives me crazy so I went with Mousie to get it rebonded in April 2014. After a year, most of my natural frizzy-ish hair had grown out with the weird waves back with a vengeance.

I was going back and forth deciding whether to rebond it once more because while I liked the eventual outcome of consistently straight hair, I HATED the down time where for a week after the treatment, I couldn't tie my hair up or tuck it behind my ears (because it would leave a huge kink in the hair). Also, it sucked having super straight, obviously rebonded hair that made me look like an Afghan Hound for a month or so (before the natural volume returned).

Excuse me? I look freaking FABULOUS. Pic from here

But as with all people who have zero resolve, at the slightest persuasion, I caved. The Mousie has always been superb at getting me to part with money for vanity and this time was no different. She came through Singapore for work and now my hair is flatly sitting atop my head. Not that I'm complaining I guess - I know it'll get better soon, but in the meantime, I'll be marginally inconvenienced. It is quite difficult to keep my hair from making contact with my food as I eat.

Also, I forgot how long the process of rebonding actually takes! I was at Ritz Salon for FOUR HOURS OMG. I've broken down the process* for you in case you're considering rebonding:

Step 1: Hair stylist slathers on the smoothing chemical onto your hair section by section starting at the root. This chemical smells. I presume it somehow whips your hair into submission so it must be strong and potentially deadly. I suggest not breathing through your nose.

Step 2: Wait. The chemical is now screaming straightening orders to the very core of your hair follicle. This is gay conversion therapy of the hair.

BE STRAIGHT NOWWW!

Step 3: The stylist washes the chemical off while possibly saying kind soothing words

Step 4: The stylist blow dries your hair

Step 5: The stylist (or stylists- I have a lot of hair) flat irons your hair section by section root to tip. You want to fall asleep.

Step 6: You are lulled into a false sense of hope that the treatment is over

Step 7: Straightening chemicals are re-applied to your already flat, straight, dry, shiny hair. You are crushed and your butt hurts from being sat on.

Step 8: Wait. You die a little inside both emotionally and physically because chemicals smell bad.

What?? I thought we JUST did this??!!

Step 9: The stylist washes your hair!!! The ordeal is nearly over!

Step 10: The stylist blow dries your hair. You feel hungry, sleepy and you need to pee.

It's fine. Just rub it with a towel and release meeee please!

Step 11: You see the bill and realise you're paying anywhere between $200 - $500 and you die a little more.

But you have straight hair! Anyway, my hair continued to have that chemical smell for about 3 days after the procedure but I didn't feel the need to change my hair care routine from the usual. I'm looking forward to my hair returning to a less flat state but I am quite pleased because my hair now requires less taming with hair spray and this rebonded state will last for about a year before I need to think about doing anything again.

So straight and so shiny! WORTH IT!!

Thanks for reading!

* This might be overly-dramatised because I'm a big baby

Wackadoo

Top: Old (Similar here) | Skirt: Smooch the Label (Similar here) | Bag: Sheinside

Shoes: Le Bunny Bleu | Sunglasses: Far East Plaza (Similar here) | Ring: Vintage (Similar here) 

Sometimes when I'm looking at fashion online, I like to make myself really sad by visiting sites like The Outnet or Net-A-Porter and then looking at all the beautiful things that I cannot afford. Then I usually curl up into a ball, eat a lot of chocolate, and cry into the pillow of poverty and despair. Now, I realise that that's not exactly a healthy way of behaving, so rather than dealing with my anguish alone, I will share it with you.

Here are a bunch of totally wacky things that I've seen recently that I really really really want for various reasons (Insanity - that's my jam):

I'd like to sail on those rough seas *wink wink*

This Lee + Lani Sailboat Net bikini is the raddest and most creative bikini I've ever seen. And basically your privates are only covered by the patterns and the rest is basically nudity.

This little piggie went to market and bought a bedazzler

Oh Judith Lieber, you crazy minx. I'm going to call him Lord Pigglesworth Shinybottom. In case you were wondering, it's a minaudiere which I think is a fancy way of saying 'little jewellery clutch thingy'

Stomping around on those hearts

These heels are perfect as a Valentine's Day gift and much more worthwhile than roses that wilt. You're basically SAVING money.

Punk duck doesn't f*ck around

Who doesn't need a punk duck crystal pave minaudiere?! This is what I call commitment to a theme. He has a freaking nose ring!!!

Too tron to take

Not usually a Versace fan but OMG I LOVE THIS PLEASE SOMEONE BUY IT FOR ME I AM DYINGGGG!

Thanks for reading!

Paint me like one of your French girls

Top: ASOS (Similar here) | Skirt: J. Crew (Similar here) | Shoes: ASOS | Bag: Tangs (Similar here)

 Necklace: Gift from Mousie (Similar here) | Scarf (wound around necklace): ASOS | Ring: Tsumori Chisato (Similar here)  

I'm definitely no makeup junkie but I know what I like and I know that makeup makes me look waaaaaaay better. I know that inner beauty is important but I am also really vain ok??

I like a very natural look that's all about concealing flaws without being too BOOMZWOWZABAZINGA. Also, I like the natural look because I am L-A-Z-Y and if anyone asks why I look so messed up, I can just say it's the natural look. What this means is that I go easy on the shimmer, the glitter and the gloss. My beauty essentials are below and these are what I use on a daily basis:

The tricks of the trade

Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream
I've mentioned this before and I seriously cannot stop praising it. Ever since I started using it, I've gotten several compliments on my 'good skin' from various people (even some I don't know). I use this as a base after applying my sunblock. Initially they were only selling the 'light to medium' shade in Sephora which was a little dark for my face but now they've started selling the 'light' shade and because my skin tone is somewhere in between, I mix the two to get what I feel is a more complimentary shade. I think I could possibly use 'light' alone since some oxidation is bound to occur. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer
I find my dark circles quite epic so I like this paste-like concealer in shade 1C Light (cool) because it gives quite a lot of coverage and has quite a lot of staying power. Plus it's labelled 'cool' which is clearly a reflection of my personality. Of course, the bad thing is that it can be a little cakey and dry after I apply powder over it. 

Maybelline White Superfresh Compact Powder Foundation
I don't bother with expensive face powder because I bought a Shu Uemura one once and it seems flaky and too light compared to this Maybelline powder in a 03 Natural shade which has never gone wrong and is like a bajillion dollars cheaper. Even at the end of the day, I am happy, it still remains on my face (maybe because of awesome CC cream mentioned above) and it has SPF and gives me a nice matte finish. I'm not a fan of the dewy look because I just look oily.

Maybelline HyperSharp Eyeliner in black and brown
Because of my tiny squinty eyes, I love liquid eyeliner for a sharp and defined look rather than the smudgy kohl pencil type which overwhelms my eyes. These liners are great because they dry quite quickly, don't smudge unless I rub it a lot at the end of the day (I have oily eyelids so everything smudges and I've given up on the 24-hour no smudge dream) and most of all, they are way affordable. I use the black one for the top lid and the brown one for the bottom because I read that using black on both will make the eyes look smaller.

Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour
I like this blush because it's non-shimmery and it's really kinda hard to find a non-shimmer blush that has good pigments which last throughout the day. I have no complaints about this blush which is quite natural in the 'Rose Petal' shade (depending on how heavy I apply it of course) and since I never apply that much blush at a time, it's lasted me probably longer than most so the cost factor really isn't high.

Yup, so that rounds up my daily makeup consumption habits. Thanks for reading, you beautiful creature, you.

Warning: lady-part related content

Top: Mango (Similar here) | Pants: FCUK (Similar here) | Shoes: Jessica Simpson (Similar here) | Bag: Aldo

Necklace: Bysi (Similar here) | Bracelet: Jessica Buurman | Ring: Vintage (Similar here) | Sunglasses: Aldo

I received a notice from my company's HR department and thought it deserves to be shared.

You can click the link here for more details

I'm all for taking charge of your health and going for regular screenings to ensure that your body is in good working order because the thought of long-term or suffering that could have been prevented just doesn't sit right with me. The Singapore Cancer Society has this annual drive to raise awareness for women's gynaecological cancer and their campaign includes offering free pap smears at participating clinics.

I think one gripe is that I hate to pay for health care because it's not very tangible (except for actually being healthy which I think I probably take for granted most times) and so sometimes I let things slip but this basically gives me no excuse to get out there and get screened. I've already made my appointment and I hope you'll find this useful and make an appointment for yourself* or even for your loved ones.

Thanks for reading!

*In case you were wondering, this is for those with biologically female parts only.

Obliterate me

Dress: Dorothy Perkins (Similar here) | Bag: Charles & Keith | Shoes: Sheinside

Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Ring: Gift from Jee Fang from Lovisa (Similar here)

I somehow imagined my dress to be covered in polka dots and even tagged it as such but then I realised that actually they're more like raindrops. Anyway, doesn't matter because I love polka dots so I'm just going to pretend it is what I thought la la la la la la la I can't hear you la la la la. My love affair with polka dots is really only second to my love affair with fatty foods.

So you can only imagine how much I wish I could check out the Yayoi Kusama Obliteration Room in person and paste some stickers and be a part of the art. This is totally going to be my inspiration for the house of the future.

Obliteration Room image taken from here

My aunt first told me about Kusama a couple of years ago. She's an incredibly fun artist who uses dots on everything she does in a myriad of colours. I checked out her 'Dots Obsession' when I was in France and I loved it so much, I wanted to take it home but it didn't fit into my suitcase.

Photo taken by uncle John.

To fulfill my Kusama Kraving (this should totally be a thing), I got a keychain and a folder. But the room is the one I want (Please note for future birthday and Christmas presents. Thanks.) She also did a collaboration with Louis Vuitton in 2012 so LV bags and such are also welcome.

So kawaii and so useful

Anyway, if you're a more fortunate individual than me, please please please check it out and maybe get a souvenir. Thanks for reading!