Mistress of Glam (MOG) is where creativity blossoms into exquisite works of art that exude individuality and where jewellery lovers revel in the fine craftsmanship that goes into each and every piece of jewellery.

 

Established in 2007 by owner and designer Queena, Mistress of Glam (MOG) remains a breath of fresh air in this day and age where mass production reigns. Unlike the typical run-off-the-mill jewellery stores, what Mistress of Glam offers is a specially curated collection of jewellery that is exclusively designed and handcrafted by the designer herself. 

Queena shortlisted some of her lovely jewellery for me to review and this necklace is one of the pieces that I selected. 

The intricate details and delicate composition of pearls, roses and crystals  exude a sense of femininity and grace, as well as a vintage charm that makes it the perfect accessory for accentuating soft, cascading dresses or jazzing up a plain neckline. The workmanship is fabulous and even my hubby, who usually does not pay much attention to what I wear, commented on how beautifully made the necklace is.

Necklace from Mistress of Glam (MOG)
Top from Korea
Skorts from Liz Lisa
Shoes from Pazzion
Bag from YSL

I love how every design at MOG is
inspired by gems, crystals and pearls, infused with a touch of vintage
glamour.  Feminine, stylish and glamourous, these are the very traits
that many ladies aspire to be associated with. 

And now, you can fulfill
these aspirations with their one-of-a-kind creations which
are handmade with love from quality materials that are either imported
or hand carried by the designer Queena when she travels abroad. Some of the materials, such as the beautiful clay flowers and owls, are also exclusive to MOG as they are painstakingly handmade by Queena’s equally talented sister. All the accessories that you see on MOG’s website are quality assured as they are made from 14K gold plated and rhodium plated materials which do not tarnish easily. 

  No outfit is complete without jewellery accents and customized jewellery that reflect your personality. Customized jewellery also make treasured keepsakes to commemorate special occasions. MOG provides jewellery customizations for weddings,
bridesmaids or even for yourself, so let Queena work her magic and add
that extra sparkle to any occasion!

  
Queena’s artistic flair is
evident from many of her signature pieces where vintage parts are
juxtaposed against semi-precious stones to retain an old world charm,
coupled with a contemporary twist. 

 Here are some other pieces that I personally adore:

Rings

Necklaces

Earrings

Bracelets

 Other
than jewellery, MOG also offers an exclusive selection of apparel that
are specially handpicked by Queena during her overseas trips. I love shorts sets which are so popular right now, hence no prizes for guessing what my favourite pick from MOG’s apparel collection would be. 

This Mint Martini shorts set is so chic yet whimsical! Complete the outfit with one of MOG’s quirky bracelets and you’ll look impeccable for afternoon tea or weekend brunch with the girls.

 If you prefer a more romantic look, the Black Romance Peplum Top would be perfect. The alluring peek-a-boo lace details and baroque motifs lend an air of mystery and elegance without compromising on femininity and versatility. You can pair this top with pants, shorts or even a pencil skirt to take you to work!

 

 Now, here’s the good news!

Mistress of Glam (MOG) is offering a discount to all my blog readers from now till 30 November 2013. All you have to do is type Regina08 upon checkout to receive an 8% discount off your total bill, applicable storewide (including the sale section) !

Free registered post is also provided storewide (including apparel and sale items), so head on down to Mistress of Glam (MOG) now for your dose of retail therapy!

  
I enjoy sharing my outfit posts regularly and today, the outfits that you see in this post are from a new online shop called OutfitOTD.  OutfitOTD stands for Outfit Of The Day, and as the name suggests, it aims to bring inspiration to to your daily outfit choices with quality, self-manufactured apparels.
 
I have a soft spot for cream lace dresses as they epitomize femininity in a subtle and elegant manner. The Grace Lace Overall Dress does just that and is extremely versatile too. I love its tailored shift silhouette, which offers a clean minimalist look that is perfect for work. You can also experiment with bold accessories to create an edgy yet stylish vibe, like what I did here with a floppy hat, striped persplex clutch and leopard print heels.

 Grace Lace Overall Dress from OutfitOTD

Made of thick, quality lace that is slightly stretchy, the dress accentuates the female silhouette and the cutting is very figure flattering. I particularly adore the slightly flared sleeves, which enhances the overall shape of the dress. Being able to perfect little details like that shows how much thought went into the design of this gorgeous number. 

This lovely dress also comes in 3 different sizes (S, M and L) and size S fits me perfectly.

 

I was very impressed with the workmanship of the dress as well. If you ask me, the quality rivals that of my favourite Japanese fashion labels. In fact, my hubby, who takes most of my outfit pictures, asked if this dress was from a Japanese label that I love!  Well, the good news is, you are able to get the same quality at just a fraction of the cost at OutfitOTD. 😉 

The Emma Embellishment Dress is another dress that I would recommend from OutfitOTD. A cascading chiffon dress with a sparkly gold embellished neckline, this dress has a flattering A-line cutting that conceals any figure flaws. 😉

This dress is made from smooth, quality chiffon and is lined with satin, similar to the material used to manufacture gowns. Again, the workmanship is wonderful and quality is assured. 

 Accessories were kept a a minimum for this look as I did not want to steal the limelight from the beautiful neckline. All I did was to throw on a red cuff to add some contrast.

In my opinion, the apparels from OutfitOTD are worthy investments as their excellent workmanship and classic designs will certainly stand the test of time.

Unboxing my Vanity Trove for the month of September was so much fun! I managed to snag a couple of full-sized items for my personalized Vanity Trove and I couldn’t wait to try out the products!

Here are the products that I received this month:

At just S$25 per month, these full-sized products make Vanity Trove such a value-for-money 

 subscription.

1) Canmake Eye Nuance 26 (Full Sized)

2) Maybelline Pure BB Mineral 8-in-1 BB Mousse (Full Sized)

Priced at S$23.90 and available at Watsons stores, this Maybelline Pure BB Mineral 8-in-1 BB Mousse is yet another full sized item that I chose this month.

Its 8 key pure mineral ingredients promise to deliver 8 skin-improving benefits:

1. Healthier skin

2. Natural radiance
3. Poreless finish 

4. Clarity 

5. Reduced dullness
6. Reduced redness
7. Hydration
8. Increased elasticity

I like its light and airy texture which is a welcome departure from the creamy texture of most BB creams. Its matte, poreless finish is great for our humid weather too.

However, as it only comes in 1 shade, I find that the colour is a shade darker than my actual skin tone although it is supposed to oxidize to your skin colour. The pump dispenser is also a little difficult to control and tends to dispense more than what is required, which I feel is rather wasteful because a small dollop is all I need for my face. 

3) Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (Sample Size 118ml)

My first impression when I saw this bottle of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser was that it is pretty generous for a sample size item. I have used Cetaphil previously and I like how gentle it is to the skin. I prefer to use it on bare skin when I wake up in the morning. If I use it at night, I use it together with my trusty Clarisonic to gently exfoliate all the grime and dirt away.

4) Goldwell Style Sign Full Rebel Fluid Paste (Full Sized)

Priced at $36 in stores, the Goldwell Style Sign Full Rebel Fluid Paste is another value-for-money item in my Vanity Trove this month. I got this for my hubby to try as he uses hair mud to style his hair and this seemed like the perfect alternative as it promises to combine the lightness of fluid with the strength of paste to deliver excellent hold without weighing down your hair. 

My hubby liked the soft and dry texture but above all, he liked how he was able to achieve different looks without weighing his hair down.

5) Storyderm Coenzyme Q10 Silk Mask and Fancl Aging Care Mask

If you have been reading my blog for some time, you would have realized that I love sheet masks. This time round, I decided to try Storyderm’s Coenzyme Q10 Silk Mask and Fancl’s Aging Care Mask.

Storyderm’s Coenzyme Q10 Silk Mask is a great hydration mask. My face felt instantly moisturized but it would be best to follow up with a facial moisturizer thereafter if you sleep in an air-conditioned room like I do, as the effects do not last through the night.

I really liked Fancl’s Aging Care Mask as the entire mask is soaked in essence. I usually don’t fancy masks that leave a stick after feel, but this mask is an exception because I could see that my skin looked more hydrated, plumped up and radiant after just one usage. I used it at night before bed without using any skincare after that and my skin still felt very moisturized when I woke up the next morning. It is a challenge for my skin to remain hydrated throughout the night, especially when I sleep in an air-conditioned room, hence I would give this two thumbs up for its amazing moisturizing properties!


6) Kerastase Elixir Ultime (Sample Size)

This is not the first time that I am using Kerastase Elixir Ultime but this time, it came as a surprise item in my Vanity Trove! I love the fragrant scent of this luxurious hair serum, which effectively tames frizziness without any oily after feel. A little goes a long way, and I like how I can just pop this into my cosmetic pouch when I go travelling. How convenient! This is yet another item that I’m taking with me on my trip next week.

And that’s all I have for this month’s Vanity Trove! 

Do follow me on Vanity Trove’s website to read more of my product reviews too!

 Zalora is bringing River Island back to Singapore! River Island is one of my favourite British high street fashion labels and I can still vividly remember how disappointed I was when they pulled out from Singapore in 2012. 

River Island is the epitome of quintessential high street fashion and is now available exclusively at Zalora. Rocking the fashion scene along with other popular high street fashion labels such as Topshop, Ms Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins since its launch in the late 1940s, River Island now has a massive following and counts celebrities like Rihana, Rita Ora and Frankie Sanford of British girl group The Saturdays among its fans.   

 River Island’s edgy-glam street style focuses on both staple and statement pieces that exhibit a bold forwardness without compromising on sophistication and style. Let your creative juices flow and punctuate your wardrobe with River Island’s gorgeous selection of stylish bags, show-stopping shoes, snazzy accessories and funky dresses! I personally adore the well-tailored cutting and workmanship of their apparel. I can finally bring the edgy side of me to work and yet still look polished and put together!

I am certain that many of you are just as excited as I am now that this well-loved brand has returned to our sunny island! Thanks to Zalora’s extensive Southeast Asian network, River Island’s outstanding designs will also be available in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

 

Now that River Island is just a click away, experimenting with fashion and achieving sartorial eloquence has never been easier. The inaugural collection on Zalora was officially launched on 13 September. 

Check it out HERE! 

Did I also mention that River Island has trendy outfits for guys too?

I don’t know about you, but I’m heading to Zalora for some retail therapy now! 😉

A lesser known
fact about Hong Kong is that it is also an excellent destination in Asia for
factory outlet shopping. Designer labels can be found in an obscure, unassuming
residential estate at Ap Lei Chau, which is located about 30 minutes
away from Central.

1) Prada & Miu Miu Outlet (Formerly known as Space)

When I first saw the Prada sign as the bus whizzed by, I could hardly believe my eyes. It is situated right in the middle of the heartlands amidst apartment blocks and among the throngs of tourists who flocked here in search of great bargains were residents of the estate going about their daily chores and grocery shopping, seemingly oblivious that their estate has since become a mini tourist attraction of sorts. The dichotomy was so strange and stark, it was actually rather amusing. 

That aside, the Prada outlet here looks every bit like its counterparts in the city, except that it houses past season Prada and Miu Miu bags, accessories, clothes and shoes. Sizes are limited and the selection can be a little hit and miss depending on your luck.

 Nonetheless, I managed to bag two pretty shoes from Miu Miu at about 50-70% off their original price. You might have seen them on my instagram some time in June and also in my recent outfit posts. 🙂

Address:
2/F Marina Square, East Commercial Block, South Horizons, Ap Lei Chau, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

 Directions:
Take a taxi from Central (about 15-20 minutes and costs about HKD$100)

or

Take Bus 590 from Exchange Square at Central or Bus 590A from Admiralty 


Map:

 

 

Press the bell when you see these building signs!  The journey takes about 30 minutes.
 

2) Horizon Plaza

Horizon Plaza is yet another inconspicuous building tucked away in Ap Lei Chau, but do not judge a book by its cover. Behind its nondescript facade lies a treasure trove of goodies waiting to be discovered! 

Photo Credits: Discoverhongkong.com

Horizon Plaza is home to 28 floors of furniture and luxury goods. Some of the more interesting shops here include:

i) Lane Crawford Fashion Warehouse (25th Floor)
This is great for shoe lovers as you will find heavily discounted Christian Louboutins and Sergio Rossi shoes here.

ii) Bluebell Fashion Warehouse (24th Floor)

If you like Jimmy Choos, you have to make a pit stop here. 😉

iii) Maxmara Fashion Group Warehouse (27th Floor)

Look out for Juicy Couture and Stella McCartney goodies!

Address:

2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong Island

Directions:

Take Bus 590 from Exchange Square in Central. Drop off at South Horizon and walk to Lee Wing
Street.

Map:

If you’re heading to Hong Kong any time soon, you know where to go for the best deals!

Meanwhile, have a great weekend ahead!

 For more on Shopping in Hong Kong, you may wish to read my previous blog posts:

1) Shopping in Hong Kong

2) Shopping in Hong Kong: Japanese Fashion Labels 

3) Shopping in Sheung Wan – Vintage Fashion, Antiques, Independent Fashion Labels

 Marie France Bodyline recently unveiled its new regional celebrity spokesperson, Hong Kong Artiste, Angela Tong Ying Ying, and I was honoured to have been invited to the media launch at The Luxe Art Museum alongside Karen and Estelle, where we had the opportunity to get up close and personal with Angela.

Angela was a picture of radiance in her short pink dress, as she dazzled the crowd with her signature megawatt smile and of course, her newfound post-pregnancy figure. The star was beaming with pride as she had shed 11kg in just 3 months with Marie France Bodyline’s customized treatments, which included a nutritional plan that was specially tailored to her lifestyle and preferences.

After sharing her wonderful slimming experience with Marie France, the vivacious and eloquent Angela
celebrated her new role as a mother by participating in a diaper-changing challenge with emcee Anita Kapoor. 

A personal consultation is first conducted with the Marie France Bodyline professional team of experts which includes skilled consultants and qualified nutritionists. A slimming programme is then specially customized based on your eating habits and daily lifestyle. For lasting results, the team at Marie France Bodyline also encourages clients to exercise regularly and have a balanced diet. 

With Marie France, we can all look forward to a healthier, more effective method of slimming and sculpting. Regaining your figure and looking good have never been easier!

Always
at the forefront of cutting edge, results-oriented slimming treatments, Marie France Bodyline also introduced their latest treatment, Pro-Freeze, a revolutionary fat-freezing technology that is touted to be the non-invasive alternative to Liposuction at the media event.

  Previously only available in medical clinics, this breakthrough Pro-Freeze
treatment is able to ‘freeze’ away unsightly fat bulges safely and effectively without any discomfort and downtime! 

We were delighted to
find out that unlike other slimming treatments, the Pro Freeze
technology is specially developed for targeted areas where you have
stubborn pockets of fat that are generally resistant to exercise and
dieting. 

Examples
of problem areas that are suitable for Pro Freeze include tummy (spare
tyres), waist (love handles), hips (saddle backs) and inner thighs. As a
result of desk bound jobs and sedentary lifestyles, these are common
problem areas that plague many of us, even those of us who are slim.
When fats and flabbiness develop in these areas, you will realize that
it is certainly no mean feat to get back into shape.

Sounds all too familiar? Pro-Freeze could just be the solution for you!

How Does Pro-Freeze Work?

Fats
become frozen when they are exposed to extremely cold temperatures.
When fats become frozen, the fat cells degenerate and die off, a process
called adipocyte apoptosis.

What
happens when the fat cells die? Will they remain in your body?
Thankfully, the answer is NO. The degenerated fat cells are discharged
from the body through our body’s metabolism system.

Each
Pro-Freeze treatment session takes about 45-60 minutes and clients are
able to relax and unwind in the comfort of Marie France Bodyline’s
treatment room. A probe is used to administer the treatment and a
powerful suction, coupled with a cooling sensation, can be felt during
the first 5 minutes of the treatment. The cold sensation gradually
dissipates as each targeted area becomes accustomed to the suction.

How Effective is Pro-Freeze?

This
treatment can permanently remove up to 25% of unwanted fat in just 1
single treatment session, dramatically reducing the thickness of the fat
layer. 

According
to Marie France, clients will experience visible results in fat loss
just 3 weeks after the treatment. More significant results can be seen
between 3-6 months after treatment.

However, do note that those with major
illnesses (e.g. cancer, liver disease, heart disease and diabetes),
sensitivity to extreme coldness, have previously done fat-removal
treatments or treatments that cause fat cells to die off within the last
2 months (e.g. Cryolipolysis, Ultrasonic Cavitation, Liposuction etc.),
or are pregnant, are not suitable for this treatment.

 I wrote a post about shopping in Hong Kong way back in 2011 where I touched on some of my favourite spots for budget shopping, including Argyle Centre, Fa Yuen Street and Ladies Street. Here’s the link if you are interested to read more about it:

Shopping in Hong Kong

While I haven’t been writing very much about Hong Kong, it remains one of my favourite shopping destinations and I have been making a yearly pilgrimage to this vibrant, bustling city.

 If you are a regular blog reader, you would probably know that some of my favourite Japanese brands include Liz Lisa, Rosebullet, Dip Drops, Snidel, among others. However, many of these brands, except Rosebullet and Dip Drops, cannot be found in Singapore. Fortunately, the next closest place for us to get hold of these brands is Hong Kong, which was exactly what I did on my recent trip there in June. 

If you share my love for Japanese fashion labels, you may wish to keep these two malls in mind when you next visit Hong Kong:

1) Hysan Place

Established in 2012, Hysan Place is one of the latest malls along the Causeway Bay shopping strip. It is also home to many Japanese labels, including Nine, Deicy, Collect Point, Snidel and Language. 

Nine and Deicy
are popular brands among Japanese celebrities and both in brands
incorporate rock, bohemian and girlish elements in their apparel lines, adding an edgy touch to their designs.

Nine specializes mainly in Japanese streetwear (think Mode Style), while Deicy has a mix of casual and corporate apparel.

 If you prefer more feminine styles, then perhaps Snidel and Language would be your cup of tea. In fact, these are my favourite stores in Hysan Place as I have a soft spot for sweet and demure designs.

The prices at these stores generally start from a couple of hundreds (S$200- S$400). 

Language has a much higher price point (S$500-S$1000) but quality and workmanship are well assured. It is also possible to snag some good buys during the sale period. Case in point – I purchased a gorgeous flutter sleeve dress at a steep 70% discount!

Address:

500 Hennessy Road (Causeway Bay)

Directions: 

Take MTR to Causeway Bay Station, Exit F2

Map: 

2) Sogo, Causeway Bay & Tsim Sha Tsui

It is probably no secret that Sogo carries a wide selection of Japanese labels too. Go up the escalator to the third floor and you’ll find Liz Lisa, Rosebullet, Dip Drops and Lowrys. As Liz Lisa is the only label that cannot be found in Singapore, I’m sure many of you would have guessed that I spent most of my time at their counter. 😉 

There was a sale on the spring collection then, and I managed to bag some lovely buys at close to 50% off. In addition, customers who bought 2 or more pieces from the new summer collection were entitled to a 20% discount. 

Here’s a sneak peek at some of my Liz Lisa buys (you’ll see the rest in my outfit posts):

Address:

555 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay

or

12 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Directions:

Sogo, Causeway Bay: Take MTR to Causeway Bay Station, Exit D2, D3 or D4

or

Sogo, Tsim Sha Tsui: Take MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit J3

Map:

1) Shopping in Hong Kong

2) Shopping in Hong Kong:Factory Outlets for Designer Goods

3) Shopping in Sheung Wan – Vintage Fashion, Antiques, Independent Fashion Labels

 

We woke up bright and early for breakfast one Sunday at Grub. Alas, we weren’t early enough and ended up having to wait for about 45 minutes for a table. With so much time on our hands, we decided to take a stroll around Bishan Park, where Grub is located. 

The tranquil surroundings and fresh air awakened our senses. To a large extent, it calmed our nerves too as we were a little upset about the long wait for the table. You know how they say a hungry man is an angry man? The description cannot be more apt. On hindsight, the food was worth the wait and I will share more about their breakfast menu in a separate post.

 Now, for my outfit for the day. I don’t usually get out of the house this early on a Sunday, and JW took about an hour to wake me up from my deep slumber. The minute I got up, I slipped into the first dress that I saw in my wardrobe, threw on a contrasting statement necklace, grabbed my bag and dashed out of the house. 

I actually like the juxtaposition between the pastel dress and bold accessories, which explains the title of this post. To complete the look, I threw on a pair of nude heels to balance out the colours. Hope you like this ensemble as much as I do!

Dress from TippyJess

Bag from Hermes

Shoes from Zara