Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
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Beauty
Lifestyle
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Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
  • About Me
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Coffee and Snacks at Common Ground Cafe

October 10, 2012 by Regina Chow No Comments
Tucked in the corner along the streets of Katoomba is a gem of a cafe waiting to be unraveled.
I’ve heard so much about the beautiful decor of Common Ground Cafe from JW and friends. Coupled with the fact that it is ranked #2 on Tripadvisor’s list of restaurants in Katoomba, it was only natural that I had high expectations of this cafe.

And now for the moment of truth. I was enthralled by my surroundings the moment I stepped foot in this cozy cafe. The rustic decor and folk music wafting through the air reminded me of the set of Lord of the Rings. At that instant, we felt almost like hobbits returning to our humble abode!

We were led to a corner seat by one of the friendly owners (this cafe was set up by a group of friends). The story behind the setting up of this cafe is a meaningful one. The owners envisioned the cafe to be a place where human beings can all see beyond our own differences (wealth, rank etc.) into the hearts of others and eventually find a common ground where our hearts can find peace.

A common misconception that most people have about this place is that it is a Christian cafe. Instead, this cafe is operated by members of a Messianic community called The Twelve Tribes (they believe in Jesus too). Some articles claim that it is a cult that advocates female submission and disciplining children with canes, but from the looks of it, the people here seem more peace-loving and kind than anything else. 
For those of us who grew up in Asian societies, didn’t your parents use the cane on you when you were young? I for one, remember my mum using it on my brother and I when we were naughty, and while I don’t endorse this method of disciplining a child, I knew my mum did it entirely out of good intentions. Caning and lectures usually went hand in hand. But at the end of the day, I guess what matters is that both my brother and I turned out well! πŸ˜‰

 The food here is lovingly made with wholesome ingredients. I had the cheese and tomato melt (A$5.00) while JW had the BBQ Chicken Burger (A$11.50). All in all, I would say the food is very reasonably priced, tasty and not to mention healthy!

According to JW, who’s now a hardcore coffee addict, the coffee here is the best he has tried thus far in the Sydney and Blue Mountains region.  So coffee lovers, now you know where to go.

We liked the cafe so much that we took Felicia there on our next trip during the Leura Festival. More on that in a separate post. πŸ˜‰

 Remember to visit this quaint cafe if you’re planning to visit Katoomba at the Blue Mountains. It’s certainly an experience that you’ll never forget. πŸ˜‰
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Center/Middle Parting Hairstyles

October 9, 2012 by Regina Chow No Comments
Center Parting Hairstyles
The last time I had center parting was probably in secondary school, which was a gazillion years ago (don’t remind me please). Since then, I’ve either gone for bangs or a side fringe. I like bangs but they are a pain to maintain. On the other hand, the side fringe suits practically any face shape but it is so common that every other girl on the street sports the same hairstyle.
If you haven’t already realized, I’ve been blogging about hairstyles more often than ever. Reason being I’ve been meaning to revamp mine after growing it out. I haven’t cut, straightened or permed my hair in the past year and the last time I dyed my hair was about 8 months ago! 

Excuse my sleepy face..this was taken at 7am.
Recently, I started experimenting with the center parting style again and I must say I like it more than I thought I would. I might just try out center parting for a while now, but I’m not quite sure if I should pair that with straight or wavy/curly hair so I’ve been hoping to draw some inspiration from celebrities.


Wavy/Curly Hair
Heather Graham

Mischa Barton
Sienna Miller
Blake Lively
Kim Kardashian
 Jennifer Love Hewitt
 
 Hyuna

Angelababy

Straight Hair

Leighton Meester
 Olivia Palermo
Heidi Klum
 Gwyneth Paltrow
 
I personally like the wavy hair on Angelababy(although with a face like that, she can be bald and still look gorgeous) and Hyuna but Leighton Meester and Olivia Palermo look great with straight hair too! 
What about you? Which styles do you prefer? πŸ™‚
 
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What do your dreams tell you?

October 8, 2012 by Regina Chow No Comments
 
Today’s post is totally out of character for me because I usually write about my outfits, fashion, food and travels. But I’ve been getting strange dreams recently and I thought I should document one of my strangest ones. Do you get strange dreams too? 
By strange, I don’t mean frightening and ominous dreams. On the contrary, my dreams are so silly and hilarious (bordering on retarded actually), JW takes every opportunity to poke fun at me. 
 I guess getting abused is part and parcel of marriage. -_-“”
Anyway, you are about to read about my strangest and dumbest dream ever.
I dreamt that JW came into the bedroom one day and changed me into a cocoon. What sorcery is this?!

How he did that escaped me entirely. And why? I have no idea. I hate caterpillars by the way.
The only good
thing about the dream was unlike this cute cartoon cocoon, I wasn’t
dangling on the branch. I was nestled comfortably under the sheets in
the comfort of my bed.
 
I believe in Sigmund Freud’s theory that dreams are a reflection of your greatest desires and fears. I definitely don’t have a desire to be a caterpillar, but I am very afraid of caterpillars in real life, so I guess it is true that it is a manifestation of one my greatest fears.
 So anyway, after like 5 minutes or so (I’m talking nonsense cos I obviously can’t remember haha), I became a caterpillar! JW wasn’t there and I can’t remember what I looked like but if I ever become a caterpillar, I want to be cute like this.
 Don’t judge me.
After another 5 minutes, I started becoming bigger. At that point, JW walked into the bedroom and I exclaimed, “I am about to be a butterfly!!”
IKR, this butterfly is so me.
Just as I was looking forward to becoming a butterfly (I like butterflies cos they’re pretty creatures – don’t judge meee..I know many of you feel the same!), I felt someone poking me on my shoulder, asking me to wake up. That was JW. 
So there, he completely shattered my dreams of becoming a butterfly. When I told him, he felt no remorse at all and instead, proceeded to laugh his head off. :S
Felicia shared this dreams interpretation website with me and it has proven to be accurate for her thus far. If you’re interested, the website is Dream Moods. 
I don’t usually check out what my dreams mean because I don’t remember them and even if I do, I just can’t be bothered to because they are so insignificant.
This time, just for the fun of it, I decided to check out the meaning of my dream.
Dreaming of Butterflies:

To
see a butterfly in your dream signifies longevity, creativity, romance,
joy and spirituality. You may be experiencing a new way of thinking. Or
you are undergoing some sort of transformation. Alternatively, a
butterfly refers to your need to settle down. You are lacking focus in
your life. You tend to be flighty and jump from one thing to another.
Also consider the term “social butterfly” to describe someone who is
popular and outgoing. Perhaps you need to be more outgoing.
Dreaming of Caterpillars:

To see a caterpillar in your dream signifies a stage in your own personal growth and development where you are on your way, but have not yet reached your goal.

So yes, aside from how stupid my dream sounds, the interpretation is pretty spot on. After losing two good friends last year, I have adopted a much more relaxed and positive attitude towards life. Things that used to bug me don’t bug me anymore. I feel that I see things in a different light from before and am more caring to the people that I care about. There remain many areas that I can continue to improve on, hence it is true that I have not attained my spiritual goals. 
I want to be less selfish and more giving. I want to be less judgmental and more understanding. More importantly, I want to be able to put a smile on everyone’s face everyday, and to be able to see the qualities in every individual as well as acknowledge how we all contribute to make this universe a better place in our own little ways.
I’m sorry that what was meant to be a funny post ended up on such a serious note instead, but thanks for reading nevertheless! πŸ™‚
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How to create a Hair Bow Half Updo

October 7, 2012 by Regina Chow 3 Comments
You can probably think of this post as a continuation of my “How to create a Hair Bump (without hairclips)” post. I love half updos, and this time, I drew inspiration from Pinterest yet again on how to create a hair bow. 
 
I thought I would share this tutorial with everyone because it really works and is incredibly easy to pick up! All you need is a clear elastic band and some bobby pins. πŸ˜‰
Credits: http://blog.hairandmakeupbysteph.com/2012/07/how-to-hair-bow.html
The amazing thing about Pinterest is the wealth of information and pictures that you have access. There’s something for everyone, regardless of where your area of interest lies, be it fashion, interior design, photography, food, inspirational quotes or hair and make-up. 
The list goes on! 
 

Follow Me on Pinterest
 

You can also click on the links below to follow me on:
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Twitter
Have a wonderful Sunday!
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Going Casual at Katoomba Falls

October 6, 2012 by Regina Chow 5 Comments
Yesterday was a terribly sunny day and the temperature actually soared past 30 degrees at some points. I felt like I was back in Singapore! I checked the weather forecast in advance (forecasts here are very accurate by the way) and dressed accordingly for our day at the Blue Mountains.

T-shirt from Valleygirl
Jacket from Dotti
Vintage tie-dye denim shorts from Glebe Flea Market
Nike shoes
Louis Vuitton Idylle Speedy
I’ve had enough of bushwalks, hence the main purpose of this trip was to try out the cafes and take in the beautiful sights – Katoomba Falls in this case.

Gorgeous isn’t it? It can be viewed either from a distance or up close depending on the trail that you take.

Either way, not much walking is required, which is ideal for lazy people like me!

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend so far!
For those of you who live in Australia, remember to adjust your clocks and watches before bedtime tonight! Daylight savings will kick in on Sunday at 2a.m. sharp. πŸ˜‰
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My Top 3 Picks for Food and Desserts in Sydney

October 5, 2012 by Regina Chow 4 Comments
The food in Sydney is wonderful in general, but if I had to pick my top three favourites, Bills would most certainly take the number one spot.

I have been to Bills on countless occasions and they’ve never failed to impress with their all-day breakfast. Karen is a huge fan of pancakes, hence the moment she arrived in Sydney, we whisked her off to Bills’ Darlinghurst branch for their delectable ricotta hotcakes. We were not only the earliest, but also the only customers there at 7.30 a.m. on a weekend!

It was such a joy to savour these pipping hot fluffy hotcakes topped with honeycomb butter and maple syrup, especially on a chilly Saturday morning.

Just last week, JW and I headed there again, with the aim of trying another popular item on the breakfast menu, the sweetcorn fritters. Crunchy on the outside and bursting with flavours on the inside, the corn fritters are fried to golden perfection and so delicious they leave you wanting more! I wish I could have packed some back to Singapore for Karen because both of us are hopelessly in love with corn fritters. This is one dish that cafes in Singapore should put on their menu!

My second favourite is probably Jeans Chilli Chicken at Eastwood.
A delightful yet potent concoction of spicy chicken and melted cheese, this is one of the most interesting dishes that I’ve tried. Accompanied by a hint of sweetness amidst all the spiciness, I love the crunchy texture of the chicken and the thick stretchy layer of cheese.
My stomach can’t handle spiciness very well, but after mixing the chicken with rice and moulding them into little rice balls, I can eat a few of these at one go!

 
Please excuse JW’s serial killer expression here. Even I find it slightly disturbing.

Finally, my favourite dessert place in Sydney is Adriano Zumbo Pattisier at The Star.

The chef Adriano Zumbo, of Masterchef fame, is the genius behind Zumbarons. For the uninitiated, Zumbarons are the chef’s unique rendition of macarons. These Zumbarons come in the most unusual and unexpected flavours, such as salted butter popcorn, pancake and maple syrup, and peach ice tea, just to name a few.

Unlike its saccharine sweet counterparts, the savoury flavours like salted butter popcorn as well as pancake and maple syrup are what set these lovely confections apart. These two flavours are a breath of fresh air and definitely my favourite of the lot. To me, Zumbarons are perhaps more similar to molecular gastronomy. To be able to taste salted butter popcorn or pancake and maple syrup with each bite is just absolutely amazing! This gets 2 thumbs up from me!

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How to create a Hair Bump (without hairclips!)

October 4, 2012 by Regina Chow 2 Comments
I have been growing out my hair for a while now and it has finally grown past my shoulders! I had permed hair for years (even when my hair was short, I did body perms) and I’m really not used to styling straight hair. In fact, I’m contemplating perming it soon. Straight hair is so flat and limp, which irks me, but at the same time, it has proven to be completely hassle-free. Decisions decisions…
Anyway, besides braiding my hair and tying it up into a pony tail, I’m going to show you my go-to hairstyle on lazy days when I still want to look sufficiently groomed. It’s a half updo which involves a hair bump. I actually learnt how to create a hair bump without using any hair clips at all through this tutorial on Pinterest and it’s such a life-saver!

Are you on Pinterest too? πŸ™‚

Follow Me on Pinterest
 

I posted the link to this tutorial previously, but for your easy reference, I thought I’ll just post the pictures here (including other easy-to-do styles too). πŸ™‚  For the half updo hair bump style, refer to the last 5 pictures below! 

Note: I use clear elastic bands instead of thicker rubber bands shown. They’re softer and make styling so much easier.

Source: cdn.duitang.com via Regina on Pinterest

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Melbourne: Yummy snacks at Queen Victoria Market

October 3, 2012 by Regina Chow No Comments

After an early morning flight and a terrible drive to the hotel which almost resulted in a few head-on collisions with the trams in Melbourne (that’s what happens when your other half thinks he’s an F1 driver), we arrived safe and sound at our hotel. 
You can only imagine how relieved I was, not to mention hungry too after all the hair-raising action (and embarrassment cos so many pedestrians witnessed what happened).  So, we made Queen Victoria Market our first stop. JW wanted me to try the raspberry jam filled doughnuts, which he loves.

Look at the queue! I don’t particularly like doughnuts, but I thought since the queue is so long, the doughnuts should be worth the wait.

People buy doughnuts by the bags here. Each bag comes with 6 doughnuts. Goodness…the sugar coated exterior is enough to induce diabetes. Wait till you sink your teeth into the sugary sweet raspberry jam. Calling it a sugar overdose is definitely an understatement.

JW has a sweet tooth so he single-handedly ate up 5 of these doughnuts. I only took 1 because no matter how good it is (I personally think it is overrated), I still prefer savoury food.

At that point, my stomach was growling so bad I wanted to faint from hunger. But lo and behold, my eyes lit up the moment I saw this van!

I love mussels! Especially when they’re freshly cooked in a mobile van with two mussel shells for a roof. You can choose to have your mussels baked in cheese or cooked in white wine sauce. 
I chose the white wine sauce. πŸ˜‰

Erm, yes your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. They serve the mussels to you in a plastic bowl within a plastic bag. There’re no seats around too, so I literally sat on the pavement by the road to eat this. As you can tell, I was to hungry to care about image by then!

Byebye you juicy, succulent mussel.

One by one, I devoured them, savouring the goodness of every single one with utmost delight.
I convinced JW to try one too. Just to provide some background info, JW abhors seafood, especially oysters, clams and mussels because the texture turns him off. 
Now, for the moment of revelation. 
The minute he bit into the mussel, his face puckered up and contorted into a reaction of disgust. He looked so tormented I figured I should stop wasting my time and more importantly, my mussels on him.

Yeah, so I happily gobbled up the rest of the mussels (there must have been at least 20-30 of them) at lightning speed. If I were more shabbily dressed, you would have thought I was a beggar having my first meal of the week. I might have gotten myself a few coins from compassionate passersby too. 

Anyhow, it was a satisfying meal and it certainly gave me the energy to continue walking around.  We were very tickled by this picture because we’re so used to seeing Asians tending to fruit stalls in the markets, it’s actually rather odd to see people of other ethnicities assume the role in a similar setting. 
Ok, I know, we’re so duh. Please don’t roll your eyes at us.

We were very impressed by the variety of fruits, vegetables and condiments though. You can even find fresh organic produce here! In case you were wondering, we left  with some strawberries (unbeatable price of $2 a box!) and grapes.

The rest of the market resembles Paddy’s market in Sydney and the “pasar malams” in Singapore, except that everything is grossly overpriced. In my opinion, the other parts of the market are nothing but tourist traps.

More on Melbourne in a bit! It’s mid-week, which means Friday and the weekend are just around the corner! πŸ˜‰
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Celebrating Spring in Australia with ClubCouture

October 1, 2012 by Regina Chow 4 Comments
I received the Gabrielle beaded dress from ClubCouture not too long ago and couldn’t wait to slip into this luxurious silk woven dress. 

I
love the drop waist cut and intricate gem embellishments, which add a
touch of vintage 1920s flapper glamour. At the same time, this
lovely dress is unbelievably comfortable to wear as it is cut loose to
fit like a tunic. The design is so versatile, it’ll take you from casual
luncheons to formal dinner occasions.

It
may be autumn in all other countries, but the flourishing cherry
blossoms in my backyard must be a sign that Spring is here in Australia!
Now, who said that you have to travel all the way to Japan for cherry
blossoms?
After
what seemed like eternity, I can finally slather on sunblock and walk
out on the streets in sleeveless dresses and open-toe shoes. You know
how we Singaporeans always complain about the unbearable heat in
Singapore? Well, wait till you have to wrap yourself up in layers during
winter for several months when you’re overseas. I assure you you’ll
never complain about our sunny weather again! 

 
Did I mention that this dress would be perfect as a beach cover-up too? It comes with a tube inner slip for modesty, but if you’re heading to the beach, do away with the slip and put on this dress with a black bikini underneath! That’s exactly what I’ll do for my next beach outing. πŸ˜‰

Shoes from Shooco Holic

ClubCouture has new arrivals ever so frequently, I’m always spoiled for choice. Here are some of the items that I really like:

 Clubcouture set

(From Top to Bottom)
1) Blake Pink Leather Bag
2) Silk Floral Jumpsuit 
3) Gem Pendant Gold & Vintage Rose
4) Kiss Me Platform Peep Toe Court Shoes
 
Clubcouture set 2

(From Top to Bottom)

1) Nikki Spiked Necklace
2) Wild Dreams Dress 
3) Miami Brown Leather Handbag
4) Fancy Me Leather Lace-up Boots
Time to go shopping to chase away those Monday blues! πŸ™‚
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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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