New beginnings

A huge shout out to Samson, @7braidstrong for another fun shoot and for making me hang out in a random carpark/fake basketball court. It's always a dope time with him. Follow him on Insta and check out more of his work at 7braidstrong.com.

Anyway, this series of shots became all the more special because I'm using this post to bookmark a change in my life. Having worked in the same financial institution for over five years, I've decided to try something new and will be moving into a new industry - e-commerce! I'm excited by the tech space and I can't wait to be inspired by that whole start-up life.

Obviously I'm nervous too, it's a big change and I'm taking a big step out of my comfort zone but if not now, then when, am I right?

I actually felt a little melancholic when I made my intention to leave known, as it brought back many wonderful memories, getting to know so many people, and having so many great experiences.

Things I will miss include but are not limited to:

• Proximity to acai bowls
• The ease of simply hopping on a train to get some Tori Q
• Free Nescafe coffee that coffee snobs would turn their nose up to, but that I've gotten very accustomed to
• Free company exercise activities 
• Egg tarts from Hong Lim Park
• Full length mirrors in bathrooms with great natural lighting for when you wanna show your friend your outfit cos it's totally on point that day

Last but not least, my work friends! If you're reading this, keep fighting the good fight and soaring towards greater achievements. Thank you for all the guidance, care and advice over the years/months of knowing me. Working was made easier with you around and you will be deeply missed.

Anyway, onward ho! Thanks for reading! BIG HUGS!

I knew I loved you before I met you

Top: ASOS (Similar here) | Skirt: J. Crew (Similar here) | Shoes: Romwe | Bag: Gift from Cyn (Similar here)

Necklace: Gift from Wens (Marc by Marc Jacobs) | Hand chain: Nasty Gal (Similar here) | Ring: Gift from Mellie (Twentyeight Lane)  

So fresh out of the shower; wet hair wrapped up, I sat at my desk typing and realised there are a few things in my life that I really didn't know I needed until I got them. I'm sure you have these things too, things that make your life so much easier but you really never would have thought of it until it was given to you or you chanced upon it. Kind of like a coffee sleeve, so basic and so brilliant. 

Introducing... The things you didn't know you needed until now: 

Head wrap thingy - This pink terry cloth geniusness sits atop my head and prevents my wet hair from drooping down my shoulders, thus wetting the t-shirt I'm wearing. Plus it keeps the hair away from the face so it's also great during makeup application time. My momster bought this from Japan when she was on vacation and at first I thought, 'what kind of rubbish is this?' But I use it everyday now. You might say, 'that's what a towel is for', to which I reply, 'You foolish human being.' I was like you once, a towel turban wearer but this is great for Singapore because it's basically a snood for the head so it lets the head breathe through the open hole at the top. Much cooler, and there isn't that extra fabric swinging around (for bigger towels). Plus it's better than the small towels they wrap around your head at salons and clip because duh, no need for the clip (economical!) and it doesn't run the risk of falling off. BRILLIANT. 

Body wrap thingy: Ok this is like a sarong towel. It's the more cooling, waaaay more unglamorous version of the bath robe. With its elasticised top, it kiaps on tight to the body so no risk of walking around your house semi-naked only to become fully naked. I throw this on whenever I'm applying a face mask, or while putting on my makeup before I get dressed. I first chanced upon this at my facial place and I was so hellbent on getting one I stole it (Just kidding... Or maybe not... But of course I'm kidding... Maybe...)

Aladdin bottle: A group of us were wandering inside Mustafa shopping centre and my friend and I got waaaay too excited when we saw this. I recall it being kind of pricey but come on, it keeps your water cool for longer while not allowing condensation to form and drip all over the place. That is just pure sorcery. I know Bodum cups are basically the same thing but this is a plastic bottle (safe for kids!) and doesn't cost an arm, leg, spleen and maybe one eyeball. It came with attachable plastic cups but after a few days of pretending to be a dainty lady, I gave up and reverted back to my crass bottle-swigging self. Aaaahh refreshing!    

This nail-clipper: You think a nail-clipper is just a nail-clipper right? No. You are wrong. Please get with the program. This nail-clipper is the bomb. It is super sharp and collects all the nail clippings inside its little nail-clipper body. I know, there are others out there that you can buy at the dollar store with the plastic bit. But no. Trust me. This nail-clipper is not messing around. It is the Michael Jordan of nail-clippers. The boo bought it for Christmas for me from Tokyu Hands. And before you start thinking, 'What??? Nail clippers for Christmas?? Is he the grinch??', well, yes, but that's not the point. Because I am the female grinch and I absolutely love a good functional gift. (Although I also like things like clothes, shoes, purses, and jewellery which are slightly less functional). 

Alright, I've gone on like a rabid dog for a while about all these things that you didn't know you needed. Go forth and acquire.

Thanks for reading! 

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!

Joining the rainbow parade

Top: Uniqlo | Skirt: Sheinside (Similar here) | Shoes: Old (Similar here)

Bag: Sheinside | Ring: Far East Plaza (Similar here) | Sunglasses: Pieces 

With former Olympian Bruce Jenner transitioning to her real self - Caitlyn Jenner, transgenderism has really become quite a hot topic. I recalled an article I read a while back which I found very interesting and which covered what I think would be a dream job for me. "Inside the World of Femme Coaching" is about how women are hired by transgender women who are transitioning or have transitioned from biologically male to female. In order for these new women to better navigate the world in their new femme identities, they turn to femme coaches, women who teach trans women how to display the subtle intricacies of feminine behaviour.

That is just AWESOME. And I think I would be really great at this for several reasons:
1. I am a woman both biologically and mentally. Although spiritually, I am a fire-breathing possum
2. I love to nag coach
3. I love to spend (other people's) money on things
4. I am open-minded but also good at keeping secrets
5. I am all for makeovers, makeunders and making magic

So to all you new women out there, please consider this my cover letter. I'm available and my rates are low. Also, welcome to the sisterhood.

Thanks for reading!

Stars, stripes, and suddenly NACHO!

Top: Nichii (Similar here)

Skirt: ASOS (Similar here)

Bag: Betsey Johnson

Bangles: Old (Similar here and here)

Sunglasses: Aldo (Similar here)

Shoes: Far East Plaza (Similar here)

 

Don't you think this looks a bit Halloween costume adjacent? Halloween is after all my favourite festivity of the year because a) I love dressing up in costumes b) I love candy especially when it is free c) I get to scream 'trick or treat' like a deranged child.

I also love Halloween now for a totally new reason though -  Nacho (or the Artist Formally Known As Macho) joined the Wee-Hui-Maltese-Pan (WHMP) clan on 31 October 2013!

Taun taun Nacho reporting for duty

I adopted Nacho through a friend's neighbour's contact, a man who owned a small office in a conservation house. That's where we went to meet Nacho. We had very little information about this dog - he was a poodle and had to be rehomed because of some child's allergies (or so I initially thought). I had no idea what I needed to know so I took to Google to find out what I should ask before adopting a dog. Google was helpful.

Good questions to mull over first before even getting a dog include:

1. Can you handle the responsibility? (YES!)
2. Do you have the time and resources? (Maybe)
3. Have you considered your mother's feelings about having a dog (Who is 'mother'?) 

These are a basic starting point but I found this really useful.

Some good questions to ask the current owner of the dog you intend to adopt include:

1. Why do you (current owner) not want this cute guy (greatest dog in the world)?
2. What is this cutie's (NOT the owner obvs) medical history?
3. Has he been neutered? 
4. How is he around kids/other people/other dogs
5. Does he have any behavioural issues? 
6. Is he house-trained? Does he pee indoors or outdoors? 
7. Has he been given any training? (Ninja training?)
8. Does he know any commands? (Sit/stay/kill all my enemies?)
9. How often a day does he get walks and for how long each time? 
10. What is his eating schedule and what does he eat?

There are so many questions to ask so I suggest you do what I did, go to this site and print out all the questions and read them off to the current owner.

Anyway, as it turned out, Nacho's owner had done a silly thing, he gave in to his children's wishes for a dog but then they got bored of taking care of Nacho so he became an unwanted burden. The owner brought Nacho to his workplace to let his employees care for him but this meant that Nacho wasn't properly cared for so there were a couple of things that weren't great:

1. His vaccination had lapsed 
2. He wasn't neutered
3. He wasn't socialised with other dogs (so he used to charge up to other dogs)
4. He wasn't trained so he was kind of a maniac, barking randomly, pulling on his leash, trying to pee at every tree to mark
5. He was a tick-covered, worm-infested germ factory
6. His teeth had a lot of tartar build up
7. He wasn't properly groomed so his fur covered his eyes 
8. He wasn't being fed enough and was quite underweight
9. He wasn't being shown all the love and care that he should have because he really has a great personality 

Haaalp I think I'm blind - Nacho day 1 in the WHMP clan

Seriously guys. Where are my eyes?

We had to shave him because of all the ticks.

What the hell is this alien creature I brought into my home??

Ugs but happy!

It has been over a year since we got Nacho and I think we've addressed almost all of his issues but it really took a crap ton of hard work and consistency. He's still a little crazy sometimes (like when he wants to kill this Yorkie terrier) but he's an awesome little dude and I'm so happy that I got him. He's changed my life for the better, and I would wholeheartedly recommend that you adopt a dog (or a few dogs) because it gives them a better life and in turn makes yours awesome.

Nacho of today: I can seeeee!