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! 

My friends are better than yours

Dress: Y.A.S | Shoes: Jessica Buurman | Bag: Tocco Tenero | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 

Earrings: From Wens (Similar here) | Bracelet: Pedder Red (Similar here) | Ring: Lovisa (Similar here) 

This post is a shout out to some of the best people in the world... My FRIENDS!! (Yes they are real!)

Mouse squad CC and Nic gave me the bag you see in this post and it is the perfect size and shape, I love how I can even stuff my workout clothes in there but it doesn't look overly large and clunky.  While I technically told them what I wanted, they totally hit the nail on the head by getting the right size and presenting it to me when my life was exceptionally craptastic.

Mellie gifted me a really amazing gift for my birthday this year - An ASOS gift card! which I used to buy this dress you see in this post (among other things!!). All my whining about not having enough new stuff really paid off. Actually, I bought FIVE things, like immediately. Which is kind of dumb because it's stored value and can be used over two years. But I got excited.

Wens who is my godsister, but I like to think of her as kind of like a forced friend, gave me the earrings I'm wearing, after having already given me a necklace which I cannot wait to debut... I think she might have a shopping problem.

Thank you my beautiful, generous, lovely friendzies. I can't wait for my birthday next year! *wink wink*

Thanks for reading (other friends who are also welcome to buy me things!! Lol!)

Carefree

Top: Smooch the Label (Similar here) | Pants: Calvin Klein (Similar here) | Heels: Pedro (Similar here) 

Earrings: Twentyeight Lane | Ring: Jessica Buurman (Similar here) | Sunglasses: Pieces (Similar here)

So I work with a few young temp staff, fresh out of school and waiting to go to university or find their first job, many of them have been wonderful and proactive and happy. But there have been a few who make me think "Ah, millenials" with a soft sigh and an upward roll of the eyes.

It's terribly exhausting because of 2 main things:

1. They quit within a short span of time which means I have to go and get someone else to fill the role quickly and that means more paperwork
2. It reminds me of my youth (so long gone, and dearly missed) 

When I was younger - had better skin, had the ability to go out all night but still wake up feeling refreshed, and had the metabolism that deserves a bloody prize - I held down a couple of different jobs here and there including:

Sales assistant at DKNY and then Awfully Chocolate - both good experiences overall
Sales assistant at Tangs for Dr Hauschka - Not great, I quit after a day because I was a spoiled little brat who didn't want to go through the staff entrance because it was dark and smelled like smoke
Administrative exec for a publishing company - I was dumb and quit after a day because I'm a spoiled brat who didn't understand Excel. Much regret.
Door bitch - I did this for 5 years and it was pretty fun although so exhausting.

None of these jobs really prepared me for the real working world because I have a desk job and sit on my fat butt most days but I did learn some valuable lessons including:

• Working with people can be tough - it's important to guard your heart and your secrets
• Standing up for long amounts of time makes your leg veins become permanent residents 
• Having down to earth work friends can really make the job much more enjoyable (Hi to Zamri from DKNY, Sali and Azmi from Helipad!!) 
• Be nice to people in customer service and sales staff because omg it can be rough for them

Anyway, if I had a time machine and could go back in time and give young me some advice regarding jobs, it would definitely be not to give up quite so easily, over small dumb things, and also maybe to cut down eating so much chocolate ice cream and cake while working.

Thanks for reading!

Balmy

Shirt: ASOS | Skirt: Smooch the Label (Similar here) | Shoes: ASOS (Similar here) | Clutch: Sportsgirl (Similar here)

Earrings: Old (Similar here) | Bracelet: Old (Similar here) | Ring: Vivocity (Similar here)

I have really dry lips, the cause of which I'm not sure, but they tend to get really peely and flaky regardless of whether I have lip balm on. Nonetheless, I'm pretty nuts for lip balms so I thought I'd share my faves with you.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
This colourless balm has a waxy texture, as you'd expect from the name, and it has a nice minty sensation which is weird because I didn't know bees were minty. Cool bees. In truth, this balm has added Vitamin E and peppermint and is apparently 100% natural although honestly, what does that mean? Anyway, I like the texture and the minty sensation but I know it comes in coloured versions too for those who, like me, look like zombies without makeup on.

Colourless Burt's Beeswax Balm

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Bomb
I got this as a gift from my friend Mims and it was quite the pleasant surprise. This one in Cherry Bomb is purple but it goes on thinly leaving a very natural glossy shade. I basically want all the shades now. And there are a crazy lot to choose from as they have the regular Baby Lips range and the Baby Lips Electro range. Cherry Bomb is from the Electro range which just means it looks like a dance party in the tube but clearly it's made for all day wear.

A hint of colour and shine from Maybelline's Cherry Bomb

Fresh Sugar tinted lip treatment in Coral and Petal
This is a slightly pricey tinted lip treatment but it feels so lux. It goes on almost like a thick full coloured lipstick but has moisturising properties. I couldn't decide which one I wanted so I bought both but I think Coral is now my preferred shade because it's livelier. Plus it has sunscreen and you know how crazy I am about sun protection. According to the website, it leaves a pearlescent tint which Blogger is underlining as a spelling error. So Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines it as 'having a pearly luster'. Get your shizz together, Blogger.

Petal - a rosy glow

Coral - Makes me look alive!

Thanks for reading, bisous!

Larger than life

 

 Top: Neon Rose (Similar here) | Skirt: Asos (Similar here) | Shoes: Repetto (Similar here)

Ring: Gift from Wens (Similar here) | Bag: Chicnova

  
One night, my friend was telling me about some young ladies she works with, and how they eat extremely health consciously - strawberries and cucumbers only for lunch, etc. Being young ladies in their early twenties, I'm sure their metabolism can well afford a beating but yet they stick to this bird-like eating habit. No shame on that of course, eating healthy is great, and I don't know, perhaps they really enjoy that kind of diet but I'd choose burgers, kway teow, laksa, fried rice, french fries... Basically anything carb loaded any day. 

And clearly it shows. 

I've actually been feeling a little rounder lately, and hey, no shame in that right? I enjoy my food. But today I stepped on the weighing scale and got a rude shock. I'd gained 3 kilos since the last time I weighed myself - probably a year? And yes, I know, it's not drastic, but I'm creeping back to the weight I was when I first came back to Singapore from Canada - when a friend said to me 'Al! You've gone from a size 2 to a size 6! What happened? Did you eat yourself??' (This friend works in fashion so I guess size is a big deal). 

While I haven't been obsessed with my weight in ages, I think I actually felt a bit grossed out. I don't mean to say gaining weight is unhealthy but in my situation it's really a reflection of my lifestyle. I've been kind of stressed, and when I'm stressed, I like to eat fried chicken. And I haven't really been exercising either because I've been lazy. Overall, I feel terribly unhealthy inside and out. 

So anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm on a diet, but the good healthy kind, not the crazy person kind. 

Thanks for reading!