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Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
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Taipei – The City that Never Stops Eating (Part 2)

April 25, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments
I just got back from Jakarta (thanks to Bata for the sponsored trip!) and I have, very unfortunately, fallen ill. I am now coughing very badly and I am close to losing my voice. I don’t cough as much in the day as I do at night, hence my sleeping cycle is now somewhat reversed.
 Anyhow, let’s go back to Taipei for now. This post is filled with pictures of food, so if you feel hungry after reading this, don’t say I didn’t warn you. ๐Ÿ˜‰
We had a sumptuous Japanese meal for lunch at a random Japanese joint. The sashimi was fresh and every cod roe was bursting with flavour. Yummy!
One of our friends introduced us to a roadside stall serving seafood noodles made famous by Taiwanese singer Jam Hsiao because he used to live in this particular district and patronized this stall very frequently.
I love the dimly lit alleys against the backdrop of the darkening sky at dusk.
After a few turns, we finally arrived at the famous seafood noodles stall which was situated in the middle of an obscure street among a mass of other make-shift stalls. This is perhaps the Taiwanese version of our hawker centre.
Unfortunately, we were so ravenous the moment the food arrived, we forgot to take photos of the food and the stall.It is quite unmistakable once you find your way here though, as there are many photos of Jam and his fans plastered all over the stall. ๐Ÿ˜‰ The servings are huge, with generous portions of fresh seafood, all at a ridiculously low price of just S$3!
 After filling our tummies, we made our way to W Hotel near Taipei 101.

The building with purple lights is Esquire bookstore, which has outlets all over Taipei. The main branch here has a total of 5 levels, which amazes me especially in an era where books are gradually being replaced with e-books and brick and mortar bookstores are slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Taipei 101 looks majestic but from what I remember of my last trip here, the view from the top of the tower is quite disappointing.
Finally, we arrived at W Hotel! I love the elevator ceiling, which is a visual spectacle in its own right.
We sat there, had drinks and chatted for what seemed like eternity before we finally got back on our feet and left for more food.

As you can see, the place was pretty dark, hence not many photos were taken.

Everyone raves about the street food in Taipei and honestly, it is not difficult to understand why. There is a huge variety of choices even if you are not into their signature fried food (e.g. fried chicken, mushrooms and the likes).

Baked potato drenched in cheese, topped with sliced ham.

Snow Ice

Salt and Pepper Squid

Smelly Tofu
 Xiao Long Bao

This reminds me of crepes, but this is known as ่›‹้ฅผ in Taiwan. There’s a wide selection of fillings to choose from but what really completes the meal is the dark sauce drizzled on top.

Are you hungry yet? I haven’t had much appetite lately due to the bout of illness but these pictures are enough to work up an appetite for me!
Finally, I’m ending this post with some of my outfit shots in Taipei:

 I bought this pair of Korean black wedged sneakers at WuFenPu for about S$80 and they are surprisingly very comfortable. I loved it so much that I brought it along with me to Jakarta too and I pretty much wore it everyday. ๐Ÿ˜‰

 
Given the amount of shopping I did, the focus of my next and final Taipei post will be on my shopping buys!
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Head-to-Toe Prints: Is it a good idea?

April 22, 2013 by Regina Chow 4 Comments

Head-to-Toe matchy-matchy prints have been on trend for some time now, and while it may be a daunting affair to replicate what we see on runways without looking like you stepped out of your house in your pajamas, one thing’s for sure, you will definitely attract a lot of stares and attention by following this trend. Whether or not people look on in admiration or with furrowed brows depends largely on the cutting and workmanship of the clothes.
I think the key is to keep the look structured with tailored silhouettes. If it is too loose, you’ll risk looking like you’re wearing pajamas, and if it is too tight, the entire ensemble just looks cheap.

If you find bold graphic prints from head-to-toe too intimidating (like me), you can consider trying smaller prints that are less in-your-face. In place of pants, you can also try going for shorts instead. What I also like about these head-to-toe sets is that you can always mix and match the top and bottom separately with other separates in your wardrobe.
Here’s my take on head-to-toe prints with a paisley print top and shorts set:

Paisley print set from FEP
Shoes from Forever21
Bag from Loewe
Accessories from Korea

**Edited to add on 24 April

GIVEAWAY TIME!
In addition to the stash of beauty products worth over S$100 (read HERE for more details), I’ve a brand new set of this outfit to give away to one special reader from Singapore too!
The top is loose on me (I’m a UK size 4-6 and I added a belt for more definition) and this should fit up to UK 8. The bottom has an elasticized waist so it’ll fit most sizes.
This is open to both existing and new followers on my instagram/twitter (@reginachow_sg) and Facebook .
1. Follow me @reginachow_sg on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook 
(The more platforms you follow, the higher your chances!)




2. Follow @NailVibeSG on Instagram




3. Register as a user on Nailvibe.com
 
Remember to leave me a comment on my blog or contact me via Facebook/Email at regina.chow@gmail.com to let me know when you’ve done all of the above!
 

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Vanity Trove April Edition and Giveaway!

April 18, 2013 by Regina Chow 3 Comments
I’ve been thinking of trying out Vanity Trove for the longest time and was absolutely thrilled when Camy from Vanity Trove very kindly sent the April Edition over!
I’m sure most of you know what Vanity Trove is, but for the benefit of those who have not been introduced to its concept yet, I will give you all the details.
 
Vanity Trove is a subscription based platform for you to try out new beauty
products every month. Upon subscribing, you’ll receive a box chock full of various beauty
products in trial or even full size delivered right to your doorstep once a month! 
I personally think that this is the best way for
testing out new products before buying the full size ones and you get to try a myriad of brands at a fraction of the cost! Honestly, what’s there not to love? ๐Ÿ™‚
Now, let’s take a look at what the April Edition of Vanity Trove offers, shall we?
April’s Edition comes complete with Elizabeth Arden’s Visible Whitening Range as well as products from popular Japanese brand Dr C: Labo.
Specially formulated for and tested on Asian skin, Elizabeth Arden’s Visible Whitening range is designed to prevent melanin production and reduce pigmentation to ensure that your skin is brighter and more radiant than before.
Visible Whitening Smoothing Cleanser
 The enzymatic micro-beads in this cleanser gently removes dead surface cells and evens out your skin tone by reducing the appearance of sun spots.
Visible Whitening Melanin Control Night Capsules
If you are concerned about pigmentation, you may also wish to try out the Melanin Control Night Capsules which deliver potent natural hop extract to inhibit melanin formation at every stage as well as minimize the appearance of pigmentation. The powerful botanicals, vitamin C derivative and environmental protectants not only battle against the harmful effects of pollution, but also support the skin’s natural collagen and elastin matrix. 
The end result? You’ll get brighter, smoother skin!
Visible Whitening Multi-targeted UV shield BB Cream SPF 30 PA++ 
We all know the importance of using sunscreen, especially in sunny Singapore. What I like about this BB cream is that it provides ample sun protection, hydrates as well as brightens your skin. The anti-aging technology also serves to prevent the appearance of discolorations and fine lines, giving you beautiful, glowing skin.
I have heard rave reviews about Dr Ci: Labo’s products, which are made of natural ingredients and are paraben free! That explains why I was especially excited to see its star product, the Aqua-Collagen-Gel, in this month’s edition of Vanity Trove.
Touted as the simplest skincare, the Aqua-Collagen-Gel sold over 23 million jars worldwide thanks to its wonderful multi-tasking capabilities. You’ll receive the benefits of 6 products (Toner, Milky lotion, Beauty essence, Facial mask, Facial cream, and Makeup base), all in just one little jar. That sure saves us a lot of time and cost!
Visit Vanity Trove’s website and subscribe for your monthly box of goodies HERE!
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
Have you joined my International Giveaway? I have decided to extend the deadline for another week, and to sweeten the deal, I’m going to give away a stash of brand new beauty products to all my local readers who participate in this giveaway!
Yes, you heard right! 1 lucky Singapore reader will also stand to walk away with all these products, in addition to Nail Vibe’s discount voucher! 
If the response is good, I will add even more items to this giveaway!

1. Vanity Trove Box April Edition
If you like what you see in my review above, this is good news for you. I’m giving away a brand new box so you can try out the products for yourself. ๐Ÿ™‚
2. Laniege White Plus Renew Trial Set


 Here’s another set of whitening products to combat melanin production and block out the sun’s harmful rays!
These are the products that you will be receiving:
3. DHC Mild Lotion and DHC Collagen Pills

 
I’m taking DHC’s collagen powder currently and I thought I would share the love here by giving you a brand new pack of collagen pills!
4. Hair Curlers
I have been receiving queries on how I curl my hair recently, and truth be told, the secret  lies in these sponge hair curlers. The curlers are made entirely out of sponge and are pretty soft so you can actually sleep with them on. I’m giving away a set of 4 for you to try them out too! ๐Ÿ˜€
 I had my hair permed in Jan 2013, but the perm is fast wearing off and these sponge curlers are the only reason why I can still achieve bouncy curls! I typically start rolling my hair with these curlers after washing my hair, when my hair is about 80-90% dry. Then, I jump into bed, drift into slumberland and when the next morning arrives, this is what my hair looks like:

Amazing right? The curls last the entire day and I don’t need any styling products at all. ๐Ÿ™‚

Now, here’s a quick recap of what you have to do to receive all these goodies:

1. Follow me @reginachow_sg on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook 
(The more platforms you follow, the higher your chances!)




2. Follow @NailVibeSG on Instagram




3. Register as a user on Nailvibe.com
Remember to contact me via Facebook or e-mail me at regina.chow@gmail.com to let me know when you’ve done all of the above!
(Please note that for the purpose of this giveaway, I would have to meet up with the winner as there are too many bulky items.)


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Taipei – The City that Never Stops Eating (Part 1)

April 16, 2013 by Regina Chow 1 Comment
Although the bulk of this trip was spent shopping (well, it was hard not to shop, especially when we set foot on Wu Fen Pu), we made sure that we had ample time for Taiwan snacks and delicacies too. After all, Taipei is the city that never stops eating.
One of my favourite stalls in Taiwan is Ah Zong Mian Xian, located at Ximending. Ah Zong Mian Xian’s noodles come with generous servings of pig intestines, which is great if you’re a fan of innards. I generally tend to stay away from all innards, so I was there just for the noodles. I absolutely love the texture of the noodles and the flavourful gravy!
 
 Ah Zong Mian Xian
Address: No.8-1, Emei St., Wanhua District, Taipei City (ๅฐๅŒ—ๅธ‚ๅณจๅต‹่ก—8่™Ÿไน‹1)
Walking Directions: 5 minutes walk from Ximen MRT station, exit 6
Being an ardent fan of Jay Chou’s music, I was adamant on visiting Deja Vu, a themed restaurant set up by Jay Chou and famous magician Liu Qian.

The restaurant
is decorated with antique chairs, tables and artifacts which belong to
Jay Chou, alongside props that Liu Qian used in his magic shows.

I love the baroque and gothic interior design elements, which came together beautifully to create an interesting environment for patrons to dine in. There is so much character here and the ornaments on display are a feast for the eyes as well. 

The most outstanding item on display at the restaurant is probably Jay’s Batmobile, which doubles up as a bait for all photography enthusiasts.

My favourite item, however, is this intricately carved antique grand piano. It has been a while since I last played the piano and I have been contemplating about buying one for my current home.  Maybe it’s about time!

 Decor aside, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the food is reasonably priced and pretty delicious too. Here’s a word of caution though, the portions here are ridiculously huge so it is best to share to prevent food wastage.

 Besides pizza, we ordered the mentaiko pasta here at the recommendation of my friend, and I’m happy to report that both were good! This is one restaurant that I would recommend for both ambience and food.

 Parting outfit shot:

Blouse from Forever21
Jacket from Zara
Jeans from Topshop
Wedge Sneakers from Korea
Bag from Prada
Deja Vu
Address: Huashan 1914 Creative Park (่ฏๅฑฑ1914) , Center Four Hall (ไธญๅ››้คจ), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (ๅฐๅŒ—ๅธ‚ๅ…ซๅพท่ทฏไธ€ๆฎต1่™Ÿ)
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Purple Highlights in Taipei

April 15, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments
 I
just returned from a work trip to China and am in the midst of
unpacking my luggage, finishing up some work and also sorting out all
the photos from my Taipei trip (erm I still have photos from Australia
and New Zealand too!) as well as from several blogger events/reviews.
 To start the ball rolling, I thought I’ll just share some photos of my new hairstyle. ๐Ÿ˜‰
I wanted to get highlights done in Taipei and my friend recommended that I try out Crazy Cut Salon located across Rainbow Hotel at Ximending. Her regular stylist, Angel, suggested I go with either dark purple highlights or greenish ash highlights. I thought it would be an interesting change to have purple highlights, since ash is way too similar to my base colour. 
My only reservation was that I was afraid the purple highlights would turn out too bold and inappropriate for work, but Angel assured me that it would blend in very well with my existing base colour.

These photos were taken indoors and they have not been edited in any way. Isn’t it amazing how subtle the purple highlights are?

This is what it looks like under sunlight, 2 weeks after my colour job (photo taken from Instagram @reginachow_sg)

The colour is definitely more obvious under sunlight, but it is still somewhat subtle and not too in-your-face.
I took the opportunity to touch up my roots at the salon as well and the entire process took a little over 3 hours. The service was wonderful and I was really happy with the end result! The best part was, the total cost was extremely affordable compared to prices in Singapore. I had my roots touched up, highlights and also treatment done at about S$180! I would highly recommend Angel at Crazy Cut Salon if you’re thinking of getting your hair done in Taipei. ๐Ÿ™‚
Alright, enough of my hair for now. I will be sharing more about Taipei in a bit, but meanwhile, have a great week ahead!
 
 

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International Giveaway: Nail Vibe Discount Vouchers

April 8, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments
I apologize for the lack of updates on my blog. I have just returned from a short trip to Taipei and come tomorrow, I’ll be heading to China for work the entire week.
To make up for my absence, I’m throwing a giveaway for all my local AND international readers hosted by Melva, the lovely owner of Nail Vibe! 
If you love nail polish, you have to visit Nail Vibe because the nail polish brands (OPI, China Glaze, Essie etc.) stocked by them are so reasonably priced, you can gain huge savings of at least 50% by shopping with them! 
  
The best part is, they ship internationally so you can get your nail polish fix anywhere, anytime!
Nail Vibe has a
physical store at China Square Central, and in conjunction with their
2nd anniversary, 3x 15% discount vouchers will be given away to 3 lucky
readers of my blog! 

The vouchers can either be used at the Nail Vibe store at China Square or online at Nailvibe.com!



Here are the steps to participate in this giveaway:
1. Follow me @reginachow_sg on Instagram
2. Follow @NailVibeSG on Instagram
3. Register as a user on Nailvibe.com

After you have done the above, please e-mail me at regina.chow@gmail.com with:
1. A screenshot of your instagram account showing that you have followed @NailvibeSG and @reginachow_sg
2. Quote your customer ID from registration on Nailvibe.com as a user (This is important because Nailvibe will be sending out your vouchers!!)
Terms and Conditions:
1. This giveaway is open to all my international readers.
2. The deadline for participating in this giveaway is 29th April 2013.
2. Winners will be selected randomly and notified via e-mail.
3. The discount vouchers will be sent out by Nail Vibe.
4. For other terms and conditions, please refer to the image below. (Click on image to enlarge)

Hope this drives your Monday blues away! 
Have a great week ahead and remember to participate before the deadline is up!:)
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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 Magazineโ€™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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