2014 has been a tough year, judging from the number of aviation accidents, the worst flood in Malaysia in the last 40 years, Ebola epidemic, ISIS, and the list goes on. Against the backdrop of negative events and an uncertain global outlook, we have blog wars in Singapore and an exposé. What we have going on in Singapore’s blogging scene right now is really miniscule in comparison to these life-threatening global events and instead of jumping on the bandwagon to share my viewpoints on such issues, perhaps we can all take a step back, breathe and think about how we can protect ourselves against negativity as we strive to welcome the new year on a positive note.

Because after all, life is full of ups and downs and learning how to defend yourself against negativity is a life skill that can and will vastly change your quality of life. 

Here are a few tips that I’ve put into practice and internalized during the past year and I hope these would help you just as much as they have helped me:

1. Hang Out with Positive People (or try to influence your peers to be positive!)

I know for a fact from first-hand experience that hanging out with friends or family who enjoy complaining about every facet of their lives has a damaging impact on your thoughts and perspectives. Pessimism only breeds more pessimism, and when you are constantly surrounded by negativity, you will naturally be conditioned to think that that is the way to go. Negativity is contagious and it leads to a dangerous downward spiral.

JW
is my source of positivity. He is grateful for everything he has in
life, sees meaning in his work and actively pursues activities that makes him happy. When you are
surrounded by people who are positive, driven and contented, your mind will be conditioned to think likewise.

  

Do you ditch the people around you if they happen to be negative? Well, sometimes people complain because deep inside, they are actually pleading for help. Before jumping to conclusions and judging them for their actions without truly figuring out what’s wrong, show them a little concern and support. It is always easier to overcome negative feelings when you have the support of loved ones.

2.  Change The Way You Think

Our thoughts are entirely within our control and we have the freedom to choose how we wish to think. More often than not, it’s the way in which we react to an event that makes it negative. In every situation, no matter how hopeless, there is a silver lining. I know it sounds easier said than done, but as cliche as this may sound, it is really all in the mind. 

 There was one point in my life when I was literally complaining about everything. Fortunately for me,
I have JW to thank for giving me a reality check and making me realize
that complaining is NOT normal and wouldn’t change anything. It’s a complete waste of time, unproductive and at the end of the day, you end up unhappy. Does it change the situation that you’re in? No, so what’s the point?

Now, I constantly remind myself to focus on searching for solutions and resolving problems instead of harping on what went wrong and complaining about issues or people that I cannot change because some of these things are just beyond my control. 

When you think positively, it changes your behaviour and attitude. It allows you to pursue activities that bring happiness and opens up your mind to opportunities that you never thought existed.

3. Pursue A Hobby

 I firmly believe that aside from work and family, we all need hobbies that we are passionate about to keep us sane. A hobby is a welcome distraction in times when you just need to take your mind off things that are bothering you. When you’re doing something that excites you and gives you happiness, negative thoughts are less likely to invade your mind. For me, blogging, styling and photography do just that. Do you have a hobby too? If not, perhaps it’s time to pursue one.

 I know it isn’t easy to stay positive amidst all the negativity, but we can all start somewhere and take baby steps as we go along. 

Always remember to let your smile change the world, but never let the world change your smile.

Here’s to a positive 2015!

 

 GROHE is a brand that is synonymous with quality and style when it comes to luxury bathroom fittings. Commonly found in some of the best hotels around the world, many of us would have had the opportunity to experience GROHE during our travels. Being able to replicate GROHE’s unique sensory experience in the comfort of my home has been on my bucket list for a while now, and with GROHE’s new Rainshower Flower Collection, I am finally a step closer to ticking this off my list.

Inspired by tulips, sunflowers and orchids, GROHE’s Rainshower Flower Collection is bound to set your hearts aflutter. An extension of the brand’s popular Rainshower Icon series, this collection features a petal-shaped bumper around the shower head in addition to the trademark halo shower head design and coloured spray face. 

If you love flowers or simply wish to inject a splash of colour to your day, this would be the perfect addition to your bathroom. This fresh take on shower heads would resonate well with children and young adults too.

 

There are six colours for you to choose from, so you can easily pick one that matches your bathroom decor. The “Tulip” model comes in vibrant shades of red and yellow, while the “Sunflower” version combines cheerful shades of orange and yellow. “Daisy” is a mix of white and yellow while its sweeter counterpart, “Orchid”, is the epitome of femininity with a pastel pink halo and white edges. If you prefer darker colours, “Lily”, which comes in white and purple, and “Bluebell”, a combination of white and dark blue, would fit the bill. 

I picked “Bluebell” as it complements my bathroom’s grey colour scheme. I love how the flower shower head adds a touch of playfulness to the otherwise sombre surroundings. It definitely perks up my mood in the morning and after a long day at work.

On days when I prefer something different, I can also choose to remove the petal-shaped bumper to reveal GROHE’s signature halo shower head design.

Design aside, my shower experience has also improved by leaps and bounds. My bathroom is equipped with a rainshower that was installed separately, but it pales in comparison to the GROHE Rainshower Flower. Personally, I feel that the water flow from GROHE’s shower head is much gentler and more soothing. 

Listening to the pitter patter of raindrops as they give my body a pampering massage is such a relaxing and indulgent experience, I can certainly foresee myself taking longer showers from now on. 

All Rainshower Flower Collection models are manufactured using GROHE’s DreamSpray technology, which is the same technology used in all its Rainshower variants. They also share the GROHE StarLight chrome finish, which ensures that they will retain their sheen for many years to come. 

I am a day late for my Fashion Fridays post, but I’m sure many of you would agree that it’s better late than never. The festive season never fails to put everyone in a holiday mood, and everyday feels as if the weekend has arrived. I’ve finally awoken from hibernation for a much needed stretch, which explains the lack of blog posts, but I’m now back in action. 

Today’s Fashion Fridays post centers around my new found favourite denim brand, Frame Denim. I came across this cult brand that originated from the US only very recently, during my trip to Hong Kong. Although Frame Denim was only established in 2012, it has fast secured a strong cult following among trend setters, including celebrities such as Mirander Kerr and Cara Delevingne.

Friends of mine would know that I hardly rave about denim jeans, and I have to admit that I was in two minds about this pair of Frame Denim jeans when the store assistant first picked it out for me. Granted, this was a pair of ripped skinny jeans, in white no less (I’ve been looking around for one like that), but I own several pairs of jeans, so how different could this pair of jeans be? It’s just another pair of jeans right?

 I have been proven wrong on many occasions recently, and this was yet another occasion. Never judge a book by its cover, they say, and in this scenario, you should never judge a pair of jeans by its appearance. 

I swear I have never worn a pair of jeans that’s more comfortable. It feels like second skin and fits like a glove. A look in the mirror was all it took for me to realize that the most amazing characteristic about this brand’s skinny jeans (also known as Le Skinny de Jeanne) is that it provides a slimming effect which elongates your legs and makes you look taller than you are. 

I was hooked. 

If you were wondering, this is the Le Skinny de Jeanne distressed mid-rise jeans, and I ended up buying this in black as well. A good friend had to stop me from getting more from net-a-porter, which stocks an extensive collection of Frame Denim jeans. 

I have been wearing both my white and black jeans a lot these days, and from the way things are panning out, more of these skinny jeans will be making their way into my wardrobe soon.

 Le Skinny de Jeanne distressed mid-rise Jeans from Frame Denim 

Clutch from Givenchy

Sneakers from Korea 

Vintage Perfume Ring from Select 18 (Hong Kong)

When JW suggested that we make a trip to Maldives, I wasn’t
particularly excited because based on all the photos I saw online, it
looked like just another beach resort to me.

Well, I couldn’t be more wrong.

In reality, “heaven on earth” is probably the only phrase that does justice to Maldives, and if you haven’t been there yet, I would urge you to head there at least once in your lifetime. I have travelled rather extensively in the past 10 years or so, but not once have I stepped foot on an island that feels so magical. If there was a God, he certainly spent a lot more time on Maldives than anywhere else in this world.  

I wish I could tell you that a picture says a thousand words, but in this case, pictures simply do not do any justice to this paradise whose beauty is truly unrivaled. 

The Resort 

We picked Cocoa Island by COMO, which is renowned for its tranquil surroundings and excellent food. If an idyllic, castaway holiday is what you are after, this is the place for you. If you practise yoga, the resort offers daily yoga classes as well.
 
There are only 33 villas on this small island and you will hardly see anyone around, even during meal times. We were utterly mesmerized and blown away by the resort’s serenity and untainted beauty. Cocoa Island by COMO felt like my very own private island and gave me my much needed dose of solitude. Peering at the colourful fishes and reefs in the crystal blue waters while  the grains of sand gently brush between my toes has got to be the most wonderful feeling in the world.

 

 

The Villa

Each villa comes with a private sundeck that overlooks the ocean. A few steps down the stairs is literally all it takes to have the ocean at your feet. I love to frolick in the water alongside colourful fishes in the day and watch the sun dip into the horizon in the evening.

 

The Food 

Ufaa may be the only restaurant on the island but the food is nothing short of amazing. My opinion wouldn’t change even if I were to be stranded on this island forever. 

We had room service about half the time that we were there, but whenever we felt like dining at the restaurant, we would choose to sit at the outdoor area to enjoy the spectacular view and feel the cool sea breeze caressing our faces.

 

The fish in particular, stole my heart as it is the sweetest and freshest I’ve ever had. It didn’t take me long to find out from the friendly staff that the restaurant stocks only the freshest catch from the sea.

Breakfast is JW’s favourite meal of the day and the options here clearly didn’t disappoint. In fact, they far surpassed our expectations. The waffles are crisp and topped with delicious fresh fruits while the french toast, which JW proclaims is the best he has ever had (even better than all that we have tried while we were staying in Australia), is toasted to perfection and absolutely flavourful. 

If you prefer something savoury, their eggs benedict is a good bet. All the flavours from the different ingredients – the eggs, hollandaise sauce, all the way to the lightly toasted buns, blended together seamlessly to bring out the essence of the dish. It was just phenomenal. 

Although the cuisine here is largely fusion or western, the chef does a splendid job of springing surprises on guests every now and then. We were treated to a sushi feast during one of our lunches and I spotted Thai cuisine on the menu on a separate occasion too. 

Rediscovering Life

Maldives is made even more beautiful by the wonderful companionship of your loved ones. Being able to go into your own cocoon and withdraw from the rest of the world with your soul mate is an experience that I relish and cherish. 

In Maldives, we had the luxury of time to reconnect as a couple, forge stronger bonds and just bask in the companionship of each other as we subtract all the negativity in our lives to make way for a positive future.

*******

 

For my previous updates on Maldives, do read the following posts below:

Fashion Fridays: Maldives Resort Wear & Beach Essentials

Fashion Fridays: Resort Wear x Her Diva Online Fashion

A couple of months ago, Braun Buffel very kindly extended an invitation to a small group of bloggers for a hands-on leather crafting session.

German premium leather goods brand, Braun Buffel,has always been an avid supporter of the arts and philanthropy, both of which are long-standing themes of the brand since it was founded by Johann Braun.

Braun Buffel is active in several community-building programs and charitable initiatives globally through corporate donations as well as partnerships with cultural institutions and non-profit organizations. In Singapore, Braun Buffel is a patron of the arts for da:ns festival; a programme partner with Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA Singapore) and a supporter of Community Chest.

To reinforce its philanthropic efforts, Braun Buffel launched the “Buffel Art Project”, its inaugural charity event in Singapore this year. VSA Singapore was chosen as the beneficiary. For the uninitiated, VSA Singapore is a charity launched in September 1993 to provide people with disabilities with opportunities to gain access to the arts for rehabilitation and social integration. VSA Singapore offers platforms to integrate individuals with disabilities into mainstream society through the Arts and also helps these individuals to gain financial assistance and independence through arts-making.

As part of the “Buffel Art Project”, two key fund-raising events, namely the Buffel Art Competition and Buffel Art Auction were held earlier this year. Both events centered around the brand’s distinctive logo, the Braun Buffel bull. Artists were given free rein to let their imagination and artistic flair run wild for the benefit of charity. 

In line with these initiatives, Braun Buffel specially invited its German craftsman to demonstrate the art of crafting Braun Buffel leather products through a series of workshops.

It was great fun crafting my very own leather product from scratch but it was also a relatively daunting task for me as I discovered that art and craft clearly wasn’t my forte. I have never done home economics in my secondary school days as I took Music as an ‘O’ level subject instead, and I never quite saw the need to pick up sewing and the likes.

I was at a total loss when I saw these tools in front of me. Nonetheless, I tried my best to follow instructions and observe what my peers were doing. Thank goodness I finally got the hang of it after what seemed like an eternity.

Maybeline fared really well and she was the first among us to complete her masterpiece. 

After fumbling a couple of times and seeking advice from the very strict yet professional German craftsman, I was done with my iPad mini pouch which doubles up as a clutch. I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment upon unlocking this achievement. Never in my life have I sewed a button, much less a pouch!

Here’s the final product, complete with a Braun Buffel tag. Does it look good enough to be sold in retail shops?

Thank you once again to Braun Buffel for the amazing experience. It was certainly an honour to be a part of their meaningful efforts to raise awareness for Very Special Arts Singapore.

Have a good weekend ahead!

I believe that less is more, especially when it comes to exposure to chemicals, and that is the reason why I am always on the lookout for natural skincare brands that advocate skin-friendly ingredients and omit harmful chemicals.

ISOI is one such skincare brand from Korea and it is now readily available at specialist organic retailer bud Cosmetics. ISOI stands for “I am SO Intelligent” and is developed specially for the intelligent consumer who makes purchases based on the ingredients used in each product instead of being swayed by advertising and branding campaigns.

 

One of the most distinctive natural ingredients used in ISOI skincare is precious prime-grade Bulgarian Rose Oil. Prime-grade Bulgarian Rose Oil is different as 3,000 roses are required just to extract 1ml of rose oil. You can imagine how heavenly the products smell, and after using them for a period of time, I can assure you that their lovely scents are a treat for the senses.

Bulgarian Rose Oil is selected for its high levels of vitamin A and C (17 times more than lemons and 20 times more than tomatoes), great penetration ability, excellent skin softening function and for its ability to protect the skin, delay skin ageing and boost skin vitality. Bulgarian Rose Oil is suitable for all skin types including sensitive or troubled skin. 

I had the privilege of attending ISOI’s media event recently, where I gained a better understanding of its full range of products and had the opportunity to participate in a flower-arrangement session. Each of us put together a bouquet of flowers to be brought home at the end of the event as a memento. 

ISOI believes that harmful chemicals can be substituted with luxurious natural ingredients without affecting the efficacy of its products. Controversial harmful chemicals such as chemical surfactants (SLS, SLES) that are cancer-causing agents are replaced with natural and safe ingredients such as coco-glucosamine. 

Did you know that natural skincare products generally tend to have relatively shorter shelf lives due to the lack of preservatives? To counter this issue, ISOI substituted chemical preservatives such as parabens and phenoxyethanol which cause allergies and breast cancer with patented natural preservatives such as scutellaria baicalensis extract which allows skincare products to have a shelf life of up to two and a half years before opening.

In view of my pigmentation issues, I was recommended the following products:

ISOI Bulgarian Rose Laser White Tonic Essence (130ml) – S$70

ISOI’s Bulgarian Rose Laser White Tonic Essence is a whitening essence that promises to improve your skin tone, reduce and prevent pigmentation as well as soften your skin. It is one of the most popular products in the ISOI skincare range.

The natural vitamin C from Bulgarian rose creates strong antioxidant activity to whiten the skin and enhance its clarity. Natural whitening ingredients such as arbutin and licorice extract are used to deeply penetrate the skin to whiten dull, dark skin and remove age spots and freckles.

I have been using this essence after cleansing on a daily basis. After using this for about 2 months, I noticed that the pigmentation on my upper cheekbones seemed to have lightened slightly. My skin also feels more supple and much softer. Most importantly, the peace of mind that I get from using this product to prevent my pigmentation issue from worsening in the long term is priceless.

Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Serum (35 ml) – S$92

ISOI’s Bulgarian Rose Blemish Care Serum is yet another star product. While it fills sunken areas
with moisture, Arbutin and natural vitamins from Bulgarian rose oil
deliver whitening effects that even out your skin tone. A little goes a long way, and all you need is just 1-2 pumps. I pat this evenly on to my face after applying the tonic essence.

 The Blemish Care Serum packs a punch as not only does it improve your skin tone, it also provides ample hydration while preventing clogged pores through the use of natural anti-trouble ingredients such as Centella Asiatica.In addition, it promises to improve acne-prone skin, sunken scars and even dark traces on skin.

This is certainly no mean feat because most products that prevent clogged pores are usually a little drying and may cause skin sensitivity. I am generally prone to clogged pores but after using this for 2 months, I realized that my pores appear smaller and are less clogged than before. I also noticed that my dehydrated skin feels more moisturized as a result of the product’s continuous supply of moisture. Natural hydrating ingredients and high quality rose oil are delivered deep into the skin to ensure continuous hydration for 24 hours, thereby strengthening the skin’s protective barrier and increasing its regenerative power.

Besides receiving the full-sized Tonic Essence and Blemish Care Serum, I was also given a small sample of ISOI’s intensive sugar scrub. This mild exfoliator has smaller sized crystals than other sugar scrubs to gently remove dead skin cells and sebum. 

As only natural ingredients are used, it is safe enough to be ingested, which is why I love to use this on my lips. Not only does it exfoliate dead skin cells, it also adds elasticity to the lip line which tends to wrinkle easily. 

Pore Tightening Fresh Gel Cream (50ml) – S$99

While I didn’t get to take this gel-based moisturizer home with me, I was truly tempted to purchase this after trying it at the media event.

I have oily but dehydrated skin and only gel-based moisturizers seem to work well on my skin. I was charmed by ISOI’s Pore Tightening Fresh Gel Cream as it absorbs readily into my skin without any greasy after-feel. This is a dream come true for oily and combination skin types as it controls sebum while supplying abundant moisture. I would certainly purchase this once my current moisturizer runs out.

 If you are interested in trying ISOI or other organic, all-natural brands, you might want to check out bud Cosmetics, a store dedicated to providing customers with pure, organic, safe, ethical and guilt-free products. Aside from ISOI, bud Comsetics also offers a curated selection of popular organic beauty brands including The Organic Pharmacy, OSKIA, John Masters and NEOM Luxury Organics.

You can either visit their website at www.budcosmetics.com or head down to one of their physical stores at the following locations:

Bud Cosmetics

Orchard Branch

Address:

 333A Orchard Road

#03-32 Mandarin Gallery

Singapore 238897

Tel/Fax: 

6733 5782

Novena Branch

Address:

10 Sinaran Drive

#01-66 Square 2

Singapore 307506

Tel/Fax:

6397 6013

At a little over S$20, this dress is an absolute steal! It looks exactly as pictured and I love how the cut-outs at the shoulders give it a more feminine vibe as compared to the typical shirt dress.

I’ll be sharing more details on the other sellers that I typically buy from in time to come, complete with outfit shots, so if you’re interested, remember to watch this space!

I’m currently on my way to Hong Kong as you are reading this post. I’ll be updating my instagram account while I’m on the go, so do follow me to find out what I’m up to (@reginachow_sg)!

The festive season is just around the corner, which means it’s time for parties and feasting! December is always an exciting month for me, because not only is it my birthday month, it’s probably the only time of the year other than Chinese New Year when I can feast to my heart’s delight and not feel guilty about it because everyone else in the world is having a ball of a time! 

Well, technically, I don’t feel guilty about it until I start to notice unsightly bulges around my tummy. Yes, contrary to popular belief, I don’t always have abs or a flat tummy all year round as I am prone to indigestion and bloating. I am generally blessed with a high metabolic rate, but when I overeat, which is unavoidable during this season, I tend to pile on the pounds in the most undesirable areas like my tummy and arms. Fortunately, I have Reduze PRO with me to save the day during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Reduze PRO – S$128/box (60 capsules) – 1 month supply

Reduze PRO was specifically developed with this in mind and its triple action synbiotic formula helps you to detox, burn fat and lose weight effectively.

Here’s what it does:

1) Rebalance Gut Flora

– Increase Weight Loss Bacteria

-Decrease Weight Gain Bacteria 

2) Improve Digestive Function

– Increase Bowel Frequency

– Reduce Fat/Toxin Accumulation 

3) Sustainable Weight Loss

-Increase Fat Metabolism

-Increase Satiety

Unbalanced gut flora is one of the root causes of obesity,  as it leads to an increase in appetite, toxins and fat storage. This, coupled with a decrease in metabolism, eventually results in weight gain. Reduze PRO’s unique blend of ingredients breaks the weight gain cycle by rebalancing gut flora and eliminating toxins to achieve sustainable weight loss.

The synbiotic formula, which comprises both prebiotics and probiotics, helps to improve digestion functions. Prebiotics increases satiety, which means you feel full for a longer period of time. In this case, Reduze PRO helps you to feel full for up to 6 hours after meals! Each dose of Reduze PRO also delivers 20 billion live probiotics to optimize fat loss and trim your tummy. 

Clinical studies have also proven that Reduze PRO improves bowel frequency by 52% and I can certainly attest to this. Extensive travelling in the past month has taken a toll on my digestive health and bowel regularity, but after taking Reduze PRO for about 2 weeks now, I realized that my bowel regularity has improved. My stomach also feels less bloated from indigestion. More importantly, it looks much flatter too. Thanks to my trimmer tummy, my crop tops can finally see the light of day again after taking a break!

In addition to bowel regularity, Reduze PRO also promises 8 times more weight loss, a 52% improvement in bowel frequency, 29% less calorie intake and a clearer complexion.

To feel the initial difference, it is recommended that you take the product for at least 4 weeks. 2 pills once a day before food is all it takes. You can also start off with 3 pills once daily before food for faster results. As only natural ingredients are used, Reduze PRO is suitable for long-term consumption as there are no adverse side effects.

I’ve only taken the product for 2 weeks, but I am already very pleased with how it has tackled my indigestion and bowel irregularity issues thus far. Now, I can eat all I want without having to worry about indigestion and weight gain!

Reduze Pro is also available at the following stores:

• John Little

• Metro

• NTUC Fairprice

• Robinsons

• Sasa 

• Unity

• Watsons