Love, Bonito is one of my favourite homegrown fashion e-retailers as their apparels are trendy, well-made and affordable. Their XS sizing fits me perfectly, and for someone who usually needs to get most of her clothes altered, Love, Bonito is a godsend.  

If you’re not sure of your size and worried about the need for product exchanges for items that do not fit, you can now cast all your worries away with Love, Bonito’s first ever Chinese New Year Pop-up showcase at 313@somerset.

Over at the pop-up store, you’ll get to view the splendid CNY collection inspired by the opulence and glamour of old Shanghai and try them on to ensure a perfect fit before making a purchase. 

All customers will enjoy a fuss-free shopping experience with cashless transactions and express next-day delivery. Orders are placed online via iPads and delivered right to your doorstep the very next day. Late shoppers need not worry as the pop-up store is open throughout Chinese New Year holidays!

Here are some designs that I personally adore:

Covet Vionette Floral Flare Dress (S$69) – This is already sold out but thankfully, I managed to snag a piece!

 Covet Delaura Jacquard Bodycon Dress (S$49)

 Covet Lavinia Halter Lace Dress (S$55)

Covet Lavisia Lasercut Dress (S$58) – My personal favourite, but unfortunately, it’s completely sold out as well.

Rozaria Floral Romper (S$42)

Good luck in getting hold of them before they’re all snapped up!

Love, Bonito Pop-up Showcase

Address:

 313@somerset, 313 Orchard Road #04-32  

Dates:

18 January till 28 February 2015

Operating hours: 

 10am to 10pm daily

In this digital age, it is only natural that our laptops, tablets and smartphones have since become extensions of ourselves. These tech gadgets are now such an integral part of our lives that it is absolutely necessary to purchase protective cases or bags since we carry our gadgets with us all the time.

Protective sleeves for tech gadgets are a dime a dozen these days but the market is sorely lacking in options that allow consumers to express our individuality and sense of style.  

Snupped is a local Singaporean brand that aims to change all that and more with their fully customizable sleeves, covers and cases for all your gadgets. Not only is the size customizable, you can also pick a design from their selection of designer artworks or better yet, create and upload your very own design to make it completely one-of-a-kind! You can even add handles to your cases to make it easier to tote around. 

Ever since I received my Samsung Galaxy Tab S, I’ve been on the lookout for a stylish tablet cover that would go with all my outfits and yet stand out from the crowd. This edgy Vintage Skull design by Ali Gulec ticked all my checkboxes. And as you know, the rest was history.

Aside from its sleek and stunning design, the cover is practical and fits my Galaxy Tab S to a T.  

  
It also doubles up as a fashion accessory, adding an artistic flair to my monochrome themed outfit effortlessly. 

I had every intention to put together an elegant ensemble with a hint of edginess and if I may say so myself, I think my Snupped tablet cover played a critical role in achieving what I set out to do.

Pants from Love Bonito

Shoes from Valentino

Tablet Cover from Snupped

When the cover is closed, all you see is an intricate montage of floral and baroque motifs, but when you open it up, the beautiful skull design is revealed in its full glory. I love the air of mystery.

More importantly, the probability of me bumping into someone else with the same cover is nearly zilch. I know for sure that I wouldn’t want to be caught dead in the same outfit as a random passerby. By that same token, why would you
want to have the same generic protective case for your gadget when
everyone else on the street is using it too? 

Photography Credits: Ashley Cheang

Once your order is placed, Snupped ships in 5-8 business days. Pretty fast for all that customization, don’t you think? Free shipping is provided in Singapore and there’s also a 30 days return policy.

 I had a wonderful time doing this shoot in collaboration with Carrie, who is one of the Top 10 finalists in the Fashion category at the Omy.sg Singapore Blog Awards 2014, and her photographer friend Ashley. 

For more ideas and styling inspirations with Snupped, do pop by Carrie’s blog. Carrie got herself a laptop case with handles and it’s amazingly roomy and practical, especially if you’re a big bag kind of girl. It’s the perfect size for traveling too if you ask me.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend ahead (plus Valentine’s Day celebration tomorrow)!

Are you all set to celebrate Chinese New Year? It’s barely a week away so if you’ve yet to get your CNY shopping done, it’s time to pull up your socks! To give you some inspiration, I’ll be featuring a couple of CNY-ready outfits from Wisma Atria to help you along.

I love Chinese New Year as it is a tradition to dress up in our new clothes, get a new hairdo and give ourselves a mini makeover to ring in the new year with a bang. What this means is that we have every reason to indulge in a little retail therapy! I’m sure you would agree that comfort is key when it comes to selecting an outfit for Chinese New Year visitations, which makes jeans a popular option for many of us. Instead of going with the flow, I personally prefer to stand out from the crowd with a casual chic romper. 

Whole9yards

Make a statement with this gorgeous muted pink romper from Whole9yards. I especially adore the 3d flower appliques that resemble cherry blossoms which are bound to be a conversation-starter.

Paired with these pointed nude
lambskin flats from Pretty Fit and a bright red leather bag from Plinio
Visona, this ensemble will take you through the day in style without
compromising on comfort. Let the romper shine by keeping accessories to a minimum with a geometric cuff and dainty mid finger rings in festive shades of gold.

Lambskin Flats from Pretty Fit

If you prefer something a little more oriental, slip into a Cheongsam inspired dress that fuses oriental elements with a contemporary flair. This beautiful mint dress with intricate lace cut-outs from Whole9yards caught my eye the moment I stepped into their store at Wisma Atria.

The flared A-line cutting reminiscent of the 1950s exudes a vintage vibe while the scallop lace detailing adds to its oriental charm and girlish appeal. This, in my opinion, is the perfect dress for Chinese New Year. 

Gardenia Bloom Dress by Whole9yards

Earrings from colette by colette hayman

Pumps from Pretty Fit

 
What I love most about this feminine number is its versatility. You can easily dress it up with diamonte earrings, gold pumps and a tote bag to make it work-appropriate. For Chinese New Year gatherings, all you have to do is to swap your work tote for a whimsical clutch like this beauty from Plinio Visona and you’re all ready to go! 

Leather Clutch from Plinio Visona

Do you have Chinese New Year parties or work functions to attend? This is perhaps the only time of the year when we cast aside our little black dresses and start rocking bold prints and vibrant colours to add to the festive atmosphere. 

Turn heads and be the centre of
attention with this satin maxi dress from Future State. I absolutely adore the baroque prints and floral motifs in cheerful
shades of pink, orange and yellow. Bold yet elegant, a dress like this is hard to come by and would be an excellent choice for both formal events during the Chinese New Year period and that romantic Valentine’s Day dinner you’ve been eagerly anticipating.
        

The best part about such dresses is that you don’t have to accessorize. A pair of dangling earrings and statement heels are all you need to amp up the glam factor. 

Earrings from colette by colette hayman

Heels from Pedro

 Thanks for reading! I hope today’s post has given you more outfit ideas and inspirations to dress up for Chinese New Year. 

If you need to do some last minute shopping, remember to get your dose of retail therapy at Wisma Atria to welcome the new year in style! 

You can also like their Facebook page here to receive updates on the latest promotions at Wisma Atria.

Wisma Atria Shopping Mall

Address
435 Orchard Road
Singapore 238877

Contact No.
6235 2103

Website
http://www.wismaonline.com/

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

 
**Thank you Digital Influenza for the collaboration!**

SOTHYS is one of the skincare brands on my beauty bucket list and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the day when I can finally tick it off. That day finally came on Boxing Day last year when I was invited to a tea session hosted by Sothys at TWG Tea Salon & Boutique, where the SOTHYS Sensitive Line was unveiled.

 Did you know that 90% of Asian women have sensitive skin? There are two types of sensitive skin, namely 1) naturally sensitive skin or 2) temporarily sensitised skin. People  with naturally sensitive skin, like me, generally have thin and fair skin which turns red easily. Temporarily sensitised skin, on the other hand, is affected by external factors such as environmental aggressions, lifestyle or the use of unsuitable skincare/cosmetic products.

SOTHYS Sensitive Line would work well for you regardless of which group you fall into as it aims to build your skin’s inner strength to balance your skin’s tolerance threshold and limit inflammatory reactions. What I also like about this range is that it is completely fragrance-free.

 The star ingredient in SOTHYS Sensitive Line Skincare is Spa Thermal Water extracted from between 350-400m altitude at the heart of Belgian Ardennes. It is pure, has a low mineral and sodium content as well as a ph 5 value, which is the same as that of our skin. It helps to rebalance the hypersensitivity of our skin and strengthen its tolerance threshold by blocking TRPV1 epidermal receptors that induces pain or itch on the surface of our skin.

Let’s take a look at some of the products in this skincare line. 

 Nutri-Soothing Mask (S$99, 50ml)

Nutri-Soothing mask is an emergency care mask that instantly relieves any discomfort and rebalance your skin. As we were given handy travel sized versions of the skincare range to test out at home and I’ve been using this as a hydrating mask once a week. 

All you have to do is to apply a thin layer over your face and neck, leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse it off. My skin is generally dehydrated, which makes it susceptible to itch. It doesn’t help that my skin condition worsens when I travel to colder and dryer climates. I like how this mask does a good job of soothing my skin while providing much-needed hydration at the same time. 

Soothing Melting Fluid (S$119/50ml)

 

SOTHYS Soothing Melting Fluid is essentially a daily moisturizer that acts like a barrier to protect your skin from external aggressions and reduce any skin discomfort. 

This light-weight formula is
great for those of you with sensitive and combination skin as it absorbs
readily into your skin just like water, without any sticky after-feel. 

 If your skin is sensitive and
dry, or if you intend to venture to dryer climates, you might want to
consider the Soothing Melting Cream which has a slightly heavier
texture to deliver optimal hydration.

SOS Soothing Serum (S$109/20ml)

As the name suggests, the Soothing SOS serum instantly soothes permanent or temporary sensations of discomfort and limits the appearance of redness. 

This is particularly useful if your skin is prone to itch or redness as it is proven that your skin becomes less sensitive to external aggressions after 15 days of usage. You can apply this before moisturizer on your entire face or on targeted spots.

Micellar Cleansing Water (S$79/200ml)

 Micellar Cleansing Water is a 2-in-1 cleanser for face and eyes and is by far my favourite product in the entire range because it also doubles up as a skin refreshener. Formulated with Micelles which consists of gentle cleansing agents, it is able to trap and lift surface impurities to effectively cleanse your skin in just one step. 

As no rinsing is required, I like to apply this to my face with cotton pads to freshen up my skin before and after my hot yoga classes when I do not have a facial cleanser on hand. This is also perfect for removing light make-up or tinted sunblock. 

If you’ve sensitive skin just like me, do consider giving SOTHYS Sensitive Skincare Line a go. Not only is it proven to improve your skin’s condition, the light and silky smooth texture of the products is certainly a huge draw, especially in our humid climate.

Temperatures are soaring and flowers are in full bloom to welcome the start of Spring. I’m just getting into the spirit of Spring with pastel hues as they gradually emerge from my wardrobe after months of hibernation due to my recent obsession with monochromatic shades.

What I love about pastel colours is that they generally complement one another without stealing the limelight from their counterparts, which makes colour blocking a breeze. The heydays of colour blocking may be over, but in my humble opinion, especially when it comes to soft pastel colours, this trend is here to stay. 

Putting together an outfit with 3-4 bold primary colours could be a little too much (and gaudy) for some of us especially when it is no longer in trend to do so. Colour blocking with pastel colours on the other hand, is a different story altogether. 

 Take this outfit for example, where pink, mint and blue take center-stage. It is less in-your-face, less dramatic, but definitely more feminine and more wearable. This is my idea of the perfect outfit for Spring, against the backdrop of gorgeous blooms.

Dress c/o ClubCouture

Bow headband from Liz Lisa

Bag from Hermes

Shoes from Pazzion

I love this flirty lace panel dress from ClubCouture and I personally think that this would be a great choice for the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities. 

The lace panels add an element of surprise and reveal just a sliver of skin without compromising decorum, which to me, is an essential aspect of the dress’s appeal.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend ahead! I’ll be sharing more of my fashion picks for Chinese New Year next week, so do stay tuned for more updates.

My previous trips to Hong Kong revolved solely around shopping, hence I decided that it was about time to pay a visit to some of Hong Kong’s best restaurants when I was planning for my recent trip in December. 

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon was one of the restaurants on my tick list and I made a lunch reservation there immediately after booking my air tickets and accommodation. Yes, that was how eager I was to secure a seat at the highly raved French restaurant which was awarded three Michelin stars by the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong and Macau for three consecutive years.

Located at Landmark Atrium at Central, the restaurant is easily accessible by MTR and usually fully booked, so do remember to make your reservations early. Reservations can be made through their website here. 

The contemporary decor exudes seductive charm while the casual atmosphere and cozy setting at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon was a breath of fresh air and made us feel right at home. We were seated at a circular bar facing the kitchen where we could feast our eyes on all aspects of the food preparation process, a refreshing change from the usual fine dining experience that we were used to. 

We truly enjoyed the vast selection of warm breads which went really well with the butter, and as much as we wanted to have seconds, it was best that we reserve our stomachs for the main highlights of our sumptuous lunch.

The lunch menus at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon are customizable and affordably priced at HKD$588 (3-course), HKD$698 (4-course) and HKD$838 (5-course) respectively. Every set comes with an amuse bouche, coffee and tea and mignardises (commonly known as petit four).

For appetizers, we had the L’ceuf De Poule (crispy poached egg on mimolette cheese emulsion with “Iberico” ham) and La Saint-Jacques (pan seared scallops with crunchy endive salad and mango).

The crispy poached egg was an instant hit with us. The individual flavours of the mimolette cheese emulsion, crispy poached egg and Iberico ham meld together seamlessly to create an unexpectedly delicious entree. Bursting with flavours with every bite, this ingenious creation is one of the best entrees we have had.  

The pan seared scallops were fresh and succulent. What I liked most about this appetizer was the interesting play of textures in the form of thinly sliced croutons, mangos and greens, which added a delightful crunch to the dish.  

For our mains, we had Le Saumon (semi-cooked Scottish salmon with teriyaki sauce and wasabi flavoured spinach) and Les Spaghettis (Maine lobster spaghetti and coral emulsion). 

You could also choose to have Pan-fried maigre with ginger in baby leek bouillon, or pick from their selection of meats, such as L’Agneau (roasted lamb leg with white beans and chorizo), La Volaille (chicken fricasse with Chateau Chalon sauce and mashed potato) and  Le Cochon Iberique (roasted Iberico pork “pluma” with broccoli puree and hazelnuts)

 The Scottish salmon could have been better marinated to enhance the sweetness of the fish but I loved that it was paired with wasabi-flavoured spinach to give it that extra kick.  

I can never say no to lobsters, and the Maine lobster spaghetti and coral emulsion made my heart skip a beat. The spaghetti was cooked al-dante and the Maine lobster was cooked to perfection, leaving the meat juicy and tender, creating a symphony of rich flavours that will certainly tantalize your taste buds. If you’re afraid that the tapas style servings here are inadequate, you should consider ordering this dish.

  

The mashed potatoes side dish may look ordinary, but taste-wise, it was extraordinary. It was extremely smooth, fluffy and creamy, leaving us wanting more with every bite. I could have this as a snack everyday.

You could choose to end off the meal with a fine french selection of cheeses or desserts. We chose to go with desserts instead.   

The cinnamon pear compote with caramel ice-cream looked like an exquisite work of art but it tasted rather ordinary. In comparison, the classic Mont Blanc blew our minds. I usually try to steer away from heavier desserts such as Mont Blanc but this time, I couldn’t stop after taking my first bite. Absolutely divine.

To round off our meals, we had a cup of tea each paired with petit four. I particularly loved the light and refreshing taste of the citrus flavoured fruit jellies.

 Hailed as the “Chef of the Century”, Joel Robuchon has since clinched a total of 25 Michelin stars across the chain of restaurants he operates in cities such as Paris, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Bangkok and Hong Kong. No other chef in the world has achieved more Michelin stars than he has. 

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Hong Kong is definitely a must-try as it is the closest 3 Michelin star Robuchon restaurant to home and probably the most pocket-friendly one to boot.

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Hong Kong

Address:

Shop 315, 334 & 401, Landmark Atrium, Central, Hong Kong

Tel:

(852) 2166 9000 

Website:

http://www.robuchon.hk

What do you wear to the races? My typical outfit for the races would definitely include a fascinator, paired with a glamorous dress and stilettos. In fact, I have a growing collection of dresses and fascinators reserved for such special occasions. 

You may have read about my previous experiences at Singapore Turf Club, but what I wore for the Singapore Airlines International Cup & Krisflyer International Sprint 2014 was probably one of the most dramatic ensembles that I have put together to date.

Hairstyling c/o Naoki Yoshihara by Ash

Dress from Dustbunny Vintage

Fascinator from Eskpade

Shoes from Jimmy Choo

Clutch from Forever New

I love black and white dresses, but for special occasions, I generally prefer bolder, more striking colours as I finally have an excuse to let my creative juices run wild without anyone batting an eyelid. I also prefer vintage dresses for special occasions as the designs are unique and one-of-a-kind, which means that the probability of me running into someone else in the same dress is virtually zero. 

Many thanks to Jessie once again for inviting me to the SIA International Cup. I had an enjoyable day catching up with friends over a little bubbly and light bites amidst all the adrenalin pumping horse-racing action.

The races only began in the evening but the heavy downpour in the late afternoon proved to be a challenge, which made every race all the more exciting. 

Due to the weather, we had a tough time deciding on which horses to place our bets on. With a prize money of S$3 million, the race attracts some of the best horses from all over the world. This time, as some of the hot favourites were probably at a disadvantage due to the wet terrain, the dark horses were given the opportunity to shine and clinch the top spots.

Congratulations to the grand winner from Hong Kong!

 Karen and I also enjoyed a
few minutes of fame on the big screen just as we were basking in the
thrill and excitement of the races. We were interviewed earlier that
afternoon and this came as a pleasant surprise. JW, who attended the
event with me, whipped out his camera in the nick of time. 

If you have been following my blog for a while, you would probably have read about my positive experience with Dr Dylan Chau from CeleVenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic for non-invasive aesthetic procedures. 

This time, I was introduced to Sculptra, the first anti-aging facial injectable that gives you subtle results over time. Unlike fillers, it is not a quick fix and results are not immediate, but it is long-lasting and promises a more natural appearance without giving you away, which is what we all want at the end of the day isn’t it? 
 
I have had dark eye circles for as long as I can remember, but they look far worse when accompanied by sunken under eye hollows (otherwise known as tear troughs) which only deepen with age. While there is little that can be done to eradicate dark eye circles for good, you can however get rid of your sunken tear troughs with non-invasive aesthetic procedures like Sculptra. 

What is Sculptra?

The loss of collagen is the main cause of facial ageing, which leads to deeper lines and more sunken eyes. Made from Poly-L-lactic acid, Sculptra targets the root of the problem by replacing lost collagen over time. Poly-L-lactic acid is gradually and naturally absorbed into the body, and has been used in dissolvable stitches and as a facial injectable since 1999 in over 30 countries.

It starts to work within the deep dermis and as Sculptra replaces your skin’s lost collagen, the reinforced collagen structure forms the foundation that gradually plumps up wrinkles, folds and sunken areas to restore the look of fullness.    

How does Sculptra work?

In general, Sculptra is not meant to be injected into the eye and lip areas.How does it correct under eye hollows or tear troughs then? It is injected into the upper cheekbone area to plump up the skin, which in turn corrects the hollowness in the tear trough area. 

 This is the key reason why you should engage an experienced aesthetic doctor who knows the dos and don’ts of the Sculptra procedure at the back of his hands.  

Dr Dylan Chau is a Sculptra Trainer for doctors in Singapore and is one of the pioneers in Sculptra procedures since its launch in Singapore. Dr Chau’s qualifications, coupled with the fact that he has an eye for aesthetics, assured me that I would be in good hands.

Sculptra requires a series of 3-4 treatments spaced a month apart as time is needed for your skin to generate collagen. It is also important to administer injections in small dosages to achieve the best results.

Does it hurt?

Numbing cream is typically applied for about 20-30 minutes prior to the procedure. There was some discomfort during the injection but it wasn’t particularly painful for me.   

Numbing cream application prior to Sculptra Injection

How long does it last? Is there any downtime?
It can last for more than 2 years, but as with all aesthetic procedures, individual results may vary.  

What can you expect immediately after Sculptra? Is there any downtime? 
 There is no downtime. However, I experienced slight redness and a little bruising after my first session, but I hardly had any bruising after my second session. In any case, all you need is a dab of concealer to cover up any imperfections.

Here are some pictures of me before Sculptra to give you a better idea of how sunken my tear troughs look. 

Sunken tear troughs (without makeup) before Sculptra Injection

Sunken tear troughs (with make-up) before Sculptra

Plumped up under eye area immediately after Sculptra Injection

  
At the end of 1 week, you will probably notice that the initial fullness around the tear trough area would have disappeared. This is normal, as the Poly-L-lactic acid is gradually absorbed into the body and your body starts to generate collagen to plump up the sunken area.

Here’s a photo of me taken 1 month after my second session of Sculptra. Don’t you agree that I look more awake and less tired (even without my eyelash extensions)? What I love most about the treatment is that I no longer have to apply thick layers of make-up to conceal my dark eye circles. Now, all I need is 1 light layer of concealer, which translates to extra time savings for me!

CeleVenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic

Address: 
391B Orchard Road
#16-03/04 Ngee Ann City Tower B
Singapore 238874

Tel: 
+65 6410 9621 / +65 6410 9622
 

Email: 
beauty@celevenus.com.sg

Website:
http://www.celevenus.com.sg/ 

If you were to ask me to name one make-up item that I can’t live without, my answer would be eyeliner. I have been wearing classic winged eyeliner for years, and I can’t wait to get hold of the newly launched Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Liner.

I typically use pencil eyeliners as most liquid eyeliners are either too thin or too thick for my eyes and they smudge really easily too. Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Liner promises cleaner, more precise lines and comes with a duo thickness brush that allows you to vary the thickness of your eyeliner depending on the occasion. 

The duo thickness flat tip brush measures 0.01mm on one side for thin strokes and can go up to 2mm for thicker lines. All you have to do is twist the pen to adjust the thickness. Plus, it is 100% water-proof and highly pigmented, which means your eyeliner stays put for 24 hours.

Watch the video below to see how you can easily switch between thick and thin lines with the flick of your wrist:

 Crop top, pleated pants and blazer from Love Bonito

Shoes from Valentino

Bag from Givenchy

Cuff from Hermes

Shades from Marc by Marc Jacobs

 Thanks for reading and have a great weekend ahead!