Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
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Singapore Blog Awards 2014: Best Fashion Blog Winner

August 20, 2014 by Regina Chow 2 Comments
I attended the Singapore Blog Awards 2014 Ceremony at Scape last Saturday as a nominee for the Best Fashion Blog category and to my utter amazement, I won! I really wasn’t expecting to win this year as time wasn’t on my side and I was too preoccupied with several ongoing commitments to rally for votes, so this truly came as a surprise. A very pleasant surprise too, if I may add. To say that it was surreal would be a huge understatement.
Words alone can’t express how grateful I am to everyone for your continued support towards this humble space of mine, especially those of you who voted for me everyday. You know who you are.
I would also like to thank my hubby, JW, for taking all my OOTD photographs. He may be behind the scenes most of the time, but he has always played a critical role in the development of my blog, be it in terms of photography or even just providing a sounding board for new ideas, so in many ways, this award belongs to him too! Given that fitness is increasingly becoming an integral part of my life (in addition to fashion), JW, who is a fitness enthusiast and rockclimbing addict, will also be assuming a more active role on my blog by providing fitness tips on a regular basis. Do keep your eyes peeled for more updates from him!


It was an honour to receive the award from Ms Sim Ann, Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Communications and Information, who also happens to be my ex-classmate. We both took a translation and interpretation course many years back and it has been some time since we last met. Fate works in mysterious ways, and it was wonderful to be able to catch up with her. Coincidentally, we were both in feminine lace outfits too.

The night before the awards ceremony, my blogger friend, Grace, who is fond of interviewing people from all walks of life, threw me a question.
 If you know you did better than the winner, but yet you were not chosen as the winner, how do you deal with the outcome? How do you deal with failure?
 Perhaps I could start off with my definition of success. Happiness is my definition of success in life. I enjoy writing and my blog is purely borne out of a desire to share my passion for fashion, beauty and travel. Writing, styling and photography form the root of my happiness as they allow my creative juices to flow and make me feel alive.
It is absolutely gratifying to be able to do what I like and to know that there are people out there who read my blog and appreciate what I do. At the end of the day, the outcome of the competition does not affect my happiness level, although I cannot deny that being recognized for my efforts is definitely a bonus, and for that, I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.
  

Many thanks to my dear friend Rafidah who gamely joined me for the awards ceremony too. I was very touched by her spontaneity as most of my friends (and even JW) prefer not to attend events.  

It was a great opportunity for us to catch up as well given that she had just returned from a stint in Dubai. It is always a pleasure to have Rafidah around. Her positive energy is so infectious and she is always very encouraging. 

Rafidah & I

There weren’t many familiar faces (to me at least) at this year’s awards, hence it was pretty comforting to see Smith, who was aptly dressed as a fluffy unicorn, in accordance to the derby/horse theme. Needless to say, he completely stole the limelight at the event.  Congrats to him too for winning Best Lifestyle Blog!

That’s my bag, by the way. 😉 Wasn’t it a perfect match for his outfit?

Smith & I


I also made some new friends that day, one of whom was Shirley(first runner-up, Best Cooking Blog) who makes bento sets that look so jaw droppingly beautiful, they are literally works of art. You really have to check out her work on her blog. She is amazing! We have been chatting on instagram for a while and I was so glad I finally got to meet her in person!

Shirley and I

I had a lunch gathering with my university mates after the ceremony and the lovely girls told me that I was mentioned in the news. If you are interested to find out more, here are two media articles for your reference. I have included the links as well, so all you have to do is click on the images below: 

http://news.omy.sg/News/Local-News/story20140817-285704

http://news.omy.sg/News/Local-News/story20140816-285675#photo

Thank you once again! More pictures of my outfit will be up this Friday!
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Climbing in Singapore

August 14, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Climbing in Castle Hill, New Zealand

 [Guest post by JW, Regina’s hubby, who is an avid rockclimber and fitness fanatic.]

With a social wave of fitness hitting our island-state, it’s
no wonder that climbing is now a rapidly growing sport in Singapore! It strengthens the body,
requires technique and challenges the psyche – an absolutely mind-blowing and
adrenaline-pumping experience. I particularly enjoy climbing overseas, against the backdrop of beautiful scenery which will take your breath away to the point of sweet suffocation, but before you even get there, you first have to start climbing in Singapore. Having climbed in Singapore for a good 10+
years, I guess I’m in a decent position to write about it! =P

I first started climbing in 2003 when my army mate HH
recommended the sport to me. Back then, while I trained competitively in the
comfort of NUS Bouldering Gym, popular commercial climbing spots were Yishun
SAFRA and Bukit Merah SAFRA. How things are quite different now… So lemme
give my lowdown on climbing gyms in Singapore which I’ve been to (I shall
discuss ‘natural’ in a subsequent post). I don’t frequent all of them regularly and this is purely my personal opinion so please
feel free to comment if you beg to differ or if you spot any inaccuracies!
CLIMB ASIA (CA)
60 Tessensohn Road
Singapore 217664 (Nearest MRT Station: Farrer Park)

Credit: Climb Asia

  One of the most established climbing gyms in Singapore,
CA really offers a good spread of options for climbers – which I deem
as its competitive edge. Two storeys of indoor bouldering, wide selection of
indoor top-rope climbing, and even a 15m outdoor wall for lead-climbing and
speed-climbing. 

The location is also one of the most central compared to the
rest. Its focus on route-setting somehow feels more diminished over the years
as it seems to cater more to climbing courses/events and the top-rope community
since the bouldering crowd is quite seasoned. You can also check out Team Climb
Asia in action e.g. some of Singapore’s top boulderers Haroz Foo and Xu Liting.

Price per entry: $14
for non-members and $7-$9 for members

YISHUN SAFRA (YS)
60 Yishun Avenue 4 Singapore 769027 (Nearest MRT
Station: Yishun)
Credits: SAFRA
For outdoor lovers, this is da place to climb! You get the
breeze, the sunlight, and unfortunately, the rain too as well sometimes… Some people may
find it scarier coz the climbing feels more exposed but you’ll get used to it
soon (I hope!). The high-wall texture is great – you can smear more confidently
without slipping compared to other gyms. The route-setting is also top quality,
thanks to Paul Soo and gang who dedicate much time and effort to it. For a
period, it became kinda infamous for sand-bagging i.e. stiffer route-grading but who
cares? Climbing is not about the grades (yeah right!)… YS also boasts the
highest outdoor wall (25m) in Singapore and an air-conditioned boulder gym
although not much serious attention has been paid to them vis-à-vis the 15m
walls for top-rope and lead-climbing.
Price per entry:
$16.05 for non-members and $10.70 for members/students
ONSIGHT CLIMBING (OS)
100 Guillemard Road
Singapore 399718 (Nearest MRT Station: Guillemard)
Credit: Onsight Climbing
   
The biggest indoor gym in Singapore! And also very crowded recently
– for good reason, I suppose. Being indoors, its competitive edge is
all-weather sport-climbing. It has really nice high-wall routes for top-rope
and lead-climbing. 

My only grouse is that the route-setters may sometimes have been
too carried away and set a few routes which criss-cross – meaning two lanes may get
occupied by a single climber – which however makes for interesting climbs. I’m
more into sport-climbing so I’m not very sure about the bouldering. The few
times I tried, I found the boulder routes pretty challenging and organised. And since one of Singapore’s
top female boulderers Felicia Lim hangs out at OS, you know the quality is
there.

Price per entry: $18
for non-members and $11-$13 for members/students 
CLIMBERS LABORATORY (CL)
48 Toh Guan Road East #05-152
Enterprise Hub Singapore 608586 (Nearest MRT Station: Jurong East)
Credit: Climbers Laboratory
   
A great place for beginners! I like the rough wall-texture
and abundance of easy routes for me to guide interested friends who are new to
the sport or wish to build their sport-climbing foundation. 

The only
short-comings (pun intended) are its inaccessible location and 8m walls which
are too short for more advanced sport-climbers to push their limits. But well,
parking is free if you drive. And there is a lovely horizontal roof section to
lead-climb which can’t really be found in other climbing gyms. It is also
enjoyable because it is generally less crowded than the rest, which allows you to hop
on the route of your choice almost anytime and take your time to work on
climbing fundamentals/moves on-rope aka route-hog or hangdog without feeling
too self-conscious.

Price per entry: $11-$13
for non-members and $7-$9 for members 

KINETICS CLIMBING
160 Paya Lebar Road Singapore
409022 (Nearest MRT Station: MacPherson)
Credit: Kinetics Climbing
    
An awesome place for bouldering enthusiasts! A lot of effort
is placed on quality boulder route-setting so there is no need to squeeze your
own brain juices (you can still do so if you wish to). I must say that
bouldering offers more thrill and comfort with its acrobatic possibilities on
the wall and cosy rest-time on the mattress. It also allows you to focus on
training specific techniques or holds – be it dyno, drop-knee, side-step,
slopers or crimps – which are important for both budding and advanced climbers.
While you may not find the option of high-wall climbing, you can probably draw
inspiration from one of Singapore’s top climbers Jay Koh or steal some tricks
from Team PMS!
Price per entry: $16
for non-members and $10 for members 
CLIMB CENTRAL (CC)
1 Stadium Place #B1-01 Kallang Wave Singapore
397628 (Nearest MRT Station: Stadium)
Credit: Geraldine Kong
   
The newest kid on the block! And my, does it have a lot to
offer – in terms of non-climbing stuff, heh! High quality walls with well-set routes (mostly 5s and 6s tho’), air-conditioned
and in close proximity to the likes of H&M and Starbucks – I believe that it
will appeal to many who crave a mall-break between climbs! 

Indeed,
it’s easy to see why the crowd is growing. CC also boasts the highest
indoor climbing wall in Singapore – at 16m. It is rather exhibitionist,
surrounded by curious onlookers/shoppers on a few storeys, which will perhaps
go down well with our younger generations and also hopefully encourage more
people to try or support the sport. The bouldering section is
still under construction, but I’m sure it’ll be another cool feature!

Price per entry: $14-$20
for day pass and $140 for 10-session pass 


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Fashion: 5 Types of Boots for your Body Type

August 11, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment
Nancy Sinatra said, all sultrily, that these boots were made for
walking. The question is: which boots? How do you know which boots are made
for you, when you shop for boots online or
in stores?

One of my fashion inspirations is Kate Moss and she looks amazing in
boots. But well, she is Kate Moss after all. She can wear stilts and still look
fabulous in them. 

The rest of us mortals, however, need to find the right footwear that
flatters our shape.

Here are some tips for choosing the right boots:

1. Ankle boots

Ankle boots are all the rage now. Supermodels like Alexa Chung and, yes,
Kate Moss, as well as A-list trendsetters like Kate Bosworth are totally
rocking their ankle booties. 

Before you rush out to grab a pair, though, understand that if you have
cankles (that’s ankles that are as thick as your calves instead of tapered),
ankle boots are not your friend. Resting at the ankle, they may make your
ankles look shorter and stockier. 

Women with slim, tapered calves are better suited to these. Otherwise, these
are generally flattering for any figure – pear, apple, boyish, petite – and
climate-appropriate for Singapore.

2. Knee-high boots

Good news, ladies: knee high boots are universally flattering. They make
your legs look slimmer and longer. The pointy finish at the toes add extra
length and enhance the silhouette of your legs, too. In other words, this is
gold. Finally, something that not only supermodels can wear.

 

However, petite girls like me should be careful about going too high as
knee high boots can be a tad overwhelming for my frame. You don’t want to look
like the boots are wearing you instead of you wearing the boots. That aside, the
only other drawback is the sweltering Singapore weather. Save these for your
overseas trips during the cold wintry months instead.

3. Platform boots

Proceed with caution. I repeat, proceed with caution. Unless you really
need the extra height. These wicked babies throw your proportions really off,
as all the weight is concentrated beneath your feet. 

To be honest, I’d advise against wearing these at all. Why risk looking
like a clumsy horse when you’ve got more elegant styles like platform-heeled boots?
They are much less chunky, and lend you the height as well as the tough vibes
that boots offer.

4. Calf-length boots

Sure, these look really edgy. And in relaxed cuts, calf-length boots can
be really comfortable. But bottom heavy women should definitely avoid them.
They make your calves look bigger and your legs shorter, cutting off your legs
mid-calf.

If you are bottom heavy and absolutely must wear boots of this length, remember
to play with your proportions and balance them out with, say, a flared skirt or
a flowy top. And wear them with loads of attitude!

5. Flat boots

If you value comfort above anything else, then flat boots are your
answer. There’s a reason why Ugg boots are so popular! Just watch your
proportions. Do as Zoe Saldana and Cindy Crawford did here:

And keep things streamlined and casual with skinny jeans, a sleek top
and loose hair.

See? You can make boots work for you. With the right cut and length for
your shape, your boots will be made for walking too.

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Shopping in Clementi Mall: Young Hearts

August 10, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments
Shopping for beauty essentials, trendy shoes, stylish outfits or chic lounge or sleep wear? Clementi Mall has just what you need, and more, under one roof.
Some of my close friends would know that I have been a fan of Young Hearts (#03-32) for years. To be honest, I am getting a little over-aged for Young Hearts these days, but as the name of the shop suggests, as long as your heart is still young, you’re never too old for anything!

It has been a while since I last visited Young Hearts at Clementi Mall. The last time I was there, I remember it was located within BHG (I usually head there for Japanese beauty products and cosmetics). Looks like business has boomed for this lingerie brand which is equally known for its collection of sleep and lounge wear, because it has recently shifted out of BHG to its very own retail store.
What I love about Young Hearts is its beautiful selection of comfortable sleep wear and lounge wear. Feminine yet whimsical, they are specially designed for the ladies who value style without compromising on comfort.

I couldn’t resist getting this cute sleep dress with satin ribbons all over. The hubby gave his stamp of approval too.
My eyes instantly lit up when I came across the accessories section in the shop, fully stocked with the most adorable knick knacks, such as umbrellas with bows all over, pastel coloured bedroom slippers, girly hair bands and even fluffy blankets. I was half expecting to see unicorns and rainbows!

It doesn’t take very much to know that I have a weakness for bows, hence needless to say, I had to take this brolly home with me too.


Can’t think of where to go this weekend? 
Perhaps you could check out Clementi Mall for more goodies! 
Some of my favourite shops here include Rubi Shoes, Charles & Keith, Zekko (also shoes!), Typo and Cotton On.
To find out more about the wide variety of dining options at Clementi Mall, click here to read my previous post Food at Clementi Mall: Tori Q.
The Clementi Mall
Address:
3155 Commonwealth Avenue West
(Nearest MRT: Clementi – the mall is directly linked to the MRT)

Opening Hours:
10am – 10pm daily

Website:
http://www.theclementimall.com  

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/theclementimall 





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Fashion Fridays: Mitju Tick Tack Shoes

August 8, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment
In today’s edition of Fashion Fridays, I will be showcasing Mitju’s Tick Tack Shoes series which was recently launched in end July. As I was unable to attend the event organized by The Influencer Network, William very kindly met up with me on a separate occasion so I could pick out a pair. Thank you for the sweet gesture!

Mitju’s Tick Tack Shoes collection is a new range of ladies footwear centered around 3 basic shoe fabrics (patent, suede and leatherette), complemented by a selection of over 60 shoe accessories. The aim of Tick Tack Shoes is to empower anyone, young or old, to assemble and customize your bespoke footwear based on your individual style and personality.  The idea of
mixing and matching shoe accessories to recreate different looks has
certainly taken shoe-shopping to a whole new level.
All you have to do is to first select the shoe fabric of your choice, and then select from a range of fancy, feminine accessories to go with your shoes.  The basic shoes without accessories are affordably priced at S$26.90 while the accessories are priced between S$6.90 -S$14.90.
I chose a pair of yellow patent pumps with two sets of accessories, namely 1) red plastic bows and 2) white floral motifs.

Thanks to the two sets of accessories, I can now have two different pairs of shoes to go with different outfits for various occasions. The red bows give the yellow pumps a cute, retro vibe while the white floral motifs lend a touch of femininity and an air of elegance. 

Ballet flats have become my footwear of choice due to my recent back problems, and Mitju’s Tick Tack shoes are the perfect addition to my shoe collection. And now, instead of going out to buy yet another pair of shoes to match my new outfit, I can just head over to Mitju to purchase new accessories for my shoes for a quick makeover.
To give you some ideas about how you could match these beautiful shoes with your wardrobe, here are two of my OOTD posts with Mitju’s Tick Tack shoes.
My first outfit is a vintage-inspired red and white ensemble that’s perfect for the upcoming National Day festivities. I love how my yellow pumps with white floral motifs add a pop of colour to the girly look.

Dress from Liz Lisa (Japan)
Bag from Kate spade

The second outfit has a sporty chic vibe with retro elements. Instead of pairing it with sneakers as I usually would, the yellow pumps with plastic red bows did a great job too.

Top and Skirt from Ching
Popcorn Bag from Young Hungry Free



Mitju’s Tick Tack Shoes are currently available at Mitju ION Orchard and Plaza Singapura.
You can also purchase them online at Mitju’s Official Website later this month. 
 Happy shopping and have an enjoyable long weekend ahead!

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Asian Skin Solutions

August 7, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

I had the pleasure of visiting Asian Skin Solutions at Park Mall recently for a much needed pampering facial treatment. It has been a while since I last had a facial and now that I am past 30, I figured it’s about time I showered my skin with a little more tender loving care. 

The last time I went for a facial was probably more than 5 years ago. The reason? I never liked extractions and somehow, my skin always ended up looking worse. Smooth, radiant, glowing skin after a facial was something that I have never quite experienced till I came across Asian Skin Solutions, specializing in Asian skin. In fact, I was pretty impressed after just 1 session and was tempted to sign up for a package thereafter.

What’s different about Asian Skin Solutions?
 
Asian
Skin Solutions develops facial treatments targeted at common skin
problems faced by Asians, such as acne, pigmentation and large pores.
Each facial treatment is customized based on your skin’s needs to get to
the root of the problem and restore your skin’s overall balance. 

I was also very happy to learn that only mild extractions are performed at Asian Skin Solutions as they believe that extractions will actually enlarge pores over time.


Before each facial treatment, the therapist will conduct a comprehensive skin analysis to analyze your skin’s current condition before recommending a suitable treatment. 

What happens during the Skin Analysis?

After filling up a questionnaire about my medical background and lifestyle, I was ushered into a cozy consultation room for a skin analysis. My skin was tested using a handheld device for moisture level, oiliness, pigmentation, roughness, wrinkles, pore size and sebum production.

Here’s a photo that I took before the facial treatment started.I had nothing on except for sunblock and eyelash extensions and my skin generally looks fine. However, on closer inspection in real life, you will realize that I have pigmentation on my upper cheeks. Pigmentation is one of my main gripes and I am pretty sure mine is hereditary as my mum suffers from it as well.

With Sunblock and Eyelash Extensions

Unfortunately, the skin analysis revealed that my pigmentation problem is pretty serious.

As
I have not been using a moisturizer on a regular basis for years until recently, I also have
dehydrated and oily sensitive skin that is prone to occasional breakouts. This was further confirmed by the skin analysis.

I was told that the optimal moisture level is at least 60% and when your skin is dehydrated, it tends to secrete more oil, which leads to oilier skin. 

The overall results showed that my skin only fared well in terms of smoothness, as can be seen from the red circle in the middle. The more red circles you have in the middle, the better your skin condition is. To be honest, my results set off some alarm bells and left me feeling a little panicky!

Anyhow, I was told that with regular treatments and better care (I have to remember to moisturize!), my skin condition should improve and that put me at ease. Based on my current skin condition, the therapist at Asian Skin Solutions recommended that I try out the Repairing Collagen+ Treatment. This treatment helps to boost hydration and hasten the cell renewal process.

As we age, we lose collagen,
which provides the structural support and foundation for our skin. As a
matter of fact, we begin to lose collagen from the time we hit 18 years
of age and the collagen degradation rate increases exponentially later on when we hit our 30s.
Eventually, our skin loses its elasticity and wrinkles set in. Hence, taking good care of your skin is of paramount importance to prevent premature aging.
What can you expect from the Repairing Collagen Treatment?

Before I take you through the treatment process, here are some photos of the VIP treatment room. I really appreciate the small sink next to the treatment bed as I usually prefer to remove my hard contact lenses before facials so that I can catch a few winks and also enjoy the face and eye massage.

After removing my contact lenses, I changed into a comfortable robe and slipped under the covers while I waited in anticipation for the treatment to commence.

In case you were wondering, the entire process took a little less than 2 hours, which I thought was just about right.

Step 1: Cleansing and Exfoliating
The therapist
first removed my make-up with cleansing milk, followed by a double
cleanse with a cleansing gel and a light scrub. My skin felt thoroughly
cleansed and I really enjoyed the gentle facial massage that accompanied
the cleansing process.

Step 2: Mild Extraction
Next, the therapist applied their in-house X-Lotion to soften my skin as she noticed that I had some oil seeds and blackheads which would require extraction. A facial steamer was also used to open up my pores to smoothen the extraction process. 
I didn’t
experience much pain during extraction as it was only done selectively
on areas that warranted immediate attention. 
Step 3: Application of Collagen Essence with Cryotech Machine 
A thick layer of collagen essence was then applied onto my face after extraction, followed by the use of a Cryotech machine to enhance the penetration of nutrients.  
 You will feel an icy cold sensation when the machine touches your face, which I personally felt was very therapeutic and refreshing. This step also helped to calm any post-extraction redness.
Step 4: Face & Eye Massage
My favourite part of the treatment was the face and eye massage. My eyes are constantly tired and strained as I am in front of the computer most of the time, but the eye massage around my eye contours instantly melted away the tension, leaving me with a glorious feeling of rejuvenation. 

Step 5: Collagen+ Double-Mask Application
My skin was treated to a luxurious double mask thereafter,which includes a hydrating mask as the base layer and a collagen mask on top to seal in the goodness. A shoulder and back massage ended the session on an even sweeter note, as the therapist expertly kneaded away all the aches and knots from my intense hot yoga session the day before.

How did I find the overall experience and was the facial treatment effective?
The overall experience was absolutely indulgent, relaxing and gratifying. More importantly, my skin felt silky smooth and soft to the touch immediately after and the effects lasted for about a week. Even my husband felt that my skin was much smoother.

Here is a picture of me right after the facial treatment. The redness from the extraction earlier had subsided and I could head out without any make-up. I remember looking hideous after facials in the past, complete with red marks all over and some swelling, so this was definitely a welcomed change.

Immediately after the facial treatment at Asian Skin Solutions
 Subsequently, I was brought back to the consultation room for another round of skin analysis after my facial treatment.  To my delight, my skin moisture level improved by leaps and bounds from 46% to 63%, which meant that my skin was now in the healthy zone in terms of hydration. While a higher moisture level is usually expected after facial treatments, this dramatic improvement (by about 20%) truly came as a surprise.

Based on my overall results, my wrinkles also appeared to be less severe after just one treatment. I am pretty confident that there will be significant progress in my skin’s condition over time if I embark on a package of 10 facial treatments with Asian Skin Solutions.


If you are interested to try out Asian Skin Solutions, you will be happy to know that the salon has kindly extended an exclusive promotion for my blog readers!

Asian Skin Solutions is offering readers of “Shopping Queen’s Haven” a special promotion:

Simply answer the question below to enjoy for FREE:

Repairing Collagen+ Skin Treatment and Asian Skin Formulated Skin Essence
 (Total worth S$268!)

Asian Skin Solutions

Branches:


Park Mall
9 Penang Road #11-04
Singapore 238459

Bugis Village
154 Rochor Road
Singapore 188429

Tel:
6767 0077  

Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8.30pm
Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun: 11am – 7pm


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Food at The Clementi Mall: Tori Q

August 7, 2014 by Regina Chow 3 Comments
 I live in the west and Clementi Mall is a mall that I frequent regularly because of the numerous food and shopping options available. 
Directly linked to Clementi MRT Station at Level 3, Clementi Mall is always bustling with life. Frankly, with a total of 142 shops in Clementi Mall, including 16 restaurants and cafes, it isn’t hard to see why. 
Some of the shops that I visit to top up my beauty essentials and for grocery shopping include FairPrice Finest, Watsons and Guardians. I often head there for dinner too and one of my favourite places to dine in is Tori Q (#B1-19), which serves delicious yakitori with Japanese rice at affordable prices.

As Clementi Mall is situated in the heart of the Clementi neighbourhood, which is just a stone’s throw away from key tertiary institutions such as NUS, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and SIM University, I always see hoards of students and young adults queuing at Tori Q, in a bid to fill their tummies after a long day at school.

You can either go for the set meals or ala carte options at Tori Q. For ease of convenience, I always go for the yakitori set which comes with 4 types of yakitori and Japanese rice topped with seaweed.

 Tori Q presents a myriad of yakitori options, leaving me spoilt for choice every time. On occasions when I’m feeling greedier than usual, I would also order additional sticks just to satiate my hunger.

Their quail’s eggs and asparagus wrapped in pork are just some of my personal favourites. 
I have a penchant for quail’s eggs and can have them everywhere and anywhere. The asparagus wrapped in pork, on the other hand, is superb and an absolute delight to savour. The well-marinated pork is the perfect accompaniment to the fresh, juicy asparagus. I love it!
The seating capacity at Tori Q is rather limited but I really enjoy dining at the cozy bar counter. Thus far, I have never had any difficulties finding a seat as the turnover is brisk. That, I guess, is the beauty of fast food.
I usually end off my meal with a durian pancake at Four Seasons Durian (#B1-K10), but as fate would have it, I came across a relatively new joint called Crepe Signature (#B1-K17) that very evening and decided to give it a go instead.

I was craving for the banana nutella crepes that I’ve had on many occasions when I visited Bangkok and also during my recent trip to Phuket with Karen and Raphael. I have never seen such crepes being sold on our sunny island, so you could imagine how excited I was when I realised banana nutella crepe was on Crepe Signature’s menu! However, I was already bursting at the seams from the satisfying dinner at Tori Q and was lulled into sharing a strawberry nutella crepe with the hubby instead. Yes, my hubby loves strawberries.



The crepes here are much crispier than what I had in Thailand. I personally prefer the softer and less crisp version found in Thailand and I also wish the stall could have been more generous with the nutella spread. But that is just my personal preference. On a more positive note, this version is less sinful and it definitely made me feel less guilty about devouring it!
Food aside, Clementi Mall also offers a phlethora of renowned fashion and specialty stores such as Charles & Keith, Cotton On, Rubi Shoes and Young Hearts. 
I will be sharing more about shopping in Clementi Mall in my next post later this week, so do keep a lookout for it!


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Fashion Fridays: Front Slit Pants & Crop Tops

August 1, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

 I have always been a skirt or dress person, but pants have started to infiltrate my wardrobe recently. It is rather strange but I only just discovered how carefree I feel whenever I wear pants. I don’t have to pay as much attention to the way I walk or sit, and I don’t have to worry about my skirt flying up when the wind blows. It sounds as if I am exaggerating here, but believe me, there were several times when I had to hold on tightly to my skirt just to make sure I didn’t end up doing a Marilyn Monroe.
This front slit pants from Carrislabelle is one of my favourite pants to date. The key highlight of this pair of pants lies in its double slits at the front which result in an interesting peek-a-boo effect. I love how you can show just a hint of skin and leave the rest up to imagination.

 These are the perfect statement pants and they look especially amazing when you walk. The lower half of the pants open up, just like how a butterfly would open its wings.

 I wanted the pants to be the centre of attraction in this ensemble, hence I kept the rest of my outfit simple with a plain white crop top with pearl accessories. I should have gone for a strappy pair of heels as well, but I really couldn’t resist slipping into these gladiator heels from Sophia Webster to add a touch of edginess to the clean lines.
I wore this outfit on the last day of my staycation with the girls. JW had just returned from a rockclimbing trip in KL as well, and we had a lunch reservation at Gunther’s, my favourite restaurant for french cuisine now. If you follow me on instagram (@reginachow_sg), you would probably have caught a glimpse of the dishes that left a glorious impression on us. 

Top from Young Hungry Free
Pants from Carrislabelle
Shoes from Sophia Webster (Available at On Peddar)
Bag from Givenchy
 
I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Fashion Fridays. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend ahead!
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Korean Skincare & Cosmetics: LJH Cosmetics Oxygen Bubble Brightening Pack & Vital CC Cream

July 30, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments
I have always been a fan of Korean cosmetics and skincare because they are formulated to suit asian skin and usually come with relatively affordable price tags.
There are so many Korean brands in the market to cater to your every whim and fancy, but did you know that LJH Cosmetics (otherwise known as Lee Ji Ham Cosmetics) was the first Korean company to develop and introduce cosmeceuticals, a combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, to promote healthy skin? Such beauty products are hard to come by, and it was this key value proposition of LJH cosmetics that piqued my interest in their products.
I was first introduced to LJH Cosmetics through HKC Plaza, a factory and aesthetics beauty clinic chain in Korea with over 38 brands and 6,000 beauty, fashion and lifestyle products under its wing. Through HKC Plaza, I also had the opportunity to review two of LJH Cosmetics’ top selling products, namely 1) Oxygen Bubble Brightening Pack and 2) Vital CC Cream. In today’s post, I will be sharing my thoughts on both products with you.

The Oxygen Bubble Brightening Pack is LJH Cosmetics’ all-time bestseller and it is certainly not hard to see why. I have been using it as a deep cleansing and whitening cleanser twice a week now, and not only is it a fun product to use, it actually works. 
The key benefits of the product include:
1) Improved overall skin tone
2) Instant whitening effect
3) Removal of dead skin cells and impurities
The cleanser also comes in a handy pump bottle which is great for preventing contamination. I especially love how it transforms from a translucent gel consistency to a
thick, silky rich foam lather upon seconds of contact with the skin.

Once you see the bubbles forming, give your face a gentle massage to dislodge all the grime and impurities from the surface of your skin before rinsing with water thereafter. 

Here’s a before and after comparison of my face after using LJH Cosmetics’ Oxygen Bubble Brightening Pack:


As you can tell, my skin looks brighter and fairer immediately after. Although both pictures were taken under yellow lighting, you can also tell that my skin tone in the ‘after’ picture is less yellowish. 

Besides its brightening effect, I really like this product’s ability to deep cleanse without the use of microbeads or acids unlike most exfoliating cleansers, making it perfect for sensitive skin. 

All-in-one beauty products are a must for my hectic lifestyle and LJH Cosmetics’ Vital CC Cream has since become my ideal beauty companion. It works like a dream when it comes to concealing imperfections, yet it also contains sunscreen (SPF 30) and vitamin C essence in its formulation to ensure that your skin is adequately nourished and protected from harmful UV rays. Those of us with sensitive skin will also be happy to know that LJH Cosmetics’ Vital CC Cream is clinically proven to be hypo-allergenic and suitable for sensitive skin.
When I first applied the product on to my skin, I was initially a little taken aback by its pasty, greyish white appearance. I was worried that I would end up looking ghastly, but after spreading it evenly over my face, I came to realize that it actually blends seamlessly with my skin tone.  

Can you tell the difference before and after? I tested it on my hand and put both hands together as a comparison. On closer look, you would notice that the veins on my right hand became less obvious and my skin tone was half a shade fairer as well.

Here’s a before and after comparison of the product on my face:

 I have pigmentation on my upper cheeks and it looks even worse as a result of a recent zit which caused redness in the surrounding area. However, after dabbing on LJH Cosmetics’ Vital
CC cream, my skin looks almost flawless. It gives my skin a nice glow as well, which is pretty amazing if you ask me.

How does it feel on my skin? Products that do a good job of covering imperfections generally have a thicker consistency which leads to caking, but the Vital CC cream is just the opposite. 

Not only does it feel extremely feather-light, there is also no icky, greasy after-feel. It looks and feels just like second skin, plus it has all the benefits of skincare. Isn’t it wonderful to know that beautiful complexion is just one CC cream away?

*****
Special privileges & discounts for blog readers

If you are interested in purchasing these products, you will also be entitled to a 10% discount by keying in my VIP code: SB01000JAD upon checkout!

  

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Fashion Fridays: The Great Gatsby Style (with a Twist)

July 25, 2014 by Regina Chow 4 Comments
The excitement over The Great Gatsby may have died down in recent times, but my obsession with the 1920s style continues to live on. I love vintage trends, especially the glitzy beaded details, art deco jewellery and opulent headwear that are characteristic of The Great Gatsby style. 

While it may be a little over the top to be clad in glamorous flapper dresses on a normal day out, you can easily jazz up your everyday wear by incorporating elements and bits and pieces of this classic style into your wardrobe. Mixing up contemporary and vintage trends also allows you to create unique looks that stand out from the crowd. 

I attempted to pair the 1920s flapper style with one of the hottest trends this season, crop tops. I don’t know when it started, but crop tops have since become my weekend staple. Crop tops are typically pigeon-holed into the edgy style category, especially leatherette crop tops like this one from MDScollections, which you may have seen in my previous post on Crop Tops and Prints .
As much as I love the chic, edgy vibe, there are days when I prefer a more feminine touch to my dressing and my challenge this time was to think a little out of the box with this trendy leatherette crop top by giving it a romantic twist.


To play up the dainty, feminine vibe of the ensemble, I kept to neutral colour palette with powder pink and beige hues. Scallop hems softened the look further while beaded embellishments added sparkle and an old-world charm reminiscent of the 1920s. The juxtaposition of old and new worlds, of past and present, always creates fresh perspectives that appeal to me visually.


Beaded shrug from Forever New
Leatherette Crop Top from MDScollections
Shorts from Snidel (Japanese)
Accessories from Hermes
Shoes from Pazzion


I hope you enjoyed today’s edition of Fashion Fridays. Meanwhile, here’s wishing everyone a wonderful long weekend ahead! I will be headed for a staycation with my lovely girlfriends and I’m looking forward to spending quality time with them over high tea, shopping and slumber parties!

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About Me

Hi! My name is Regina and I am a style, beauty and travel enthusiast who enjoys writing, photography and letting my creative juices flow.

My blogging journey has been nothing short of exciting. I was recently named the winner of Her World Magazine’s Estee Lauder Style Superstar Awards 2016. My blog was also awarded Best Fashion Blog (Grand Winner) at the Singapore Blog Awards 2014. The year before that, it won Best Online Shopping Blog at the Singapore Blog Awards 2013.

Additionally, it is listed as one of the 10 interesting blogs on Singapore by AsiaWeb Direct (http://www-singapore.com/blogs.htm). I was also featured on both local and international mainstream media for my views on style, fashion and online shopping:

The Straits Times (14 Oct 2014)

The Business Times (14 Oct 2014)

My Paper (13 Oct 2014)

CNBC ("Pricey Singapore: Savvy shoppers go online" - 28 Dec 2014)

For advertorials/partnerships, feel free to contact me at regina.chow@gmail.com.

Thank you!

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