Minimalism may be right up my alley when it comes to style, but did you know I’m a closet Sanrio fan too? My favourite character is My Melody!

Thanks to baby R, I have every reason to indulge in this Jujube Hello Sanrio Sweets Mini Helix bag. It’s a cute little bag that fits all my essentials when I want to travel light (when we grab groceries in the neighbourhood or when the hubby carries the diaper bag)!

Believe it or not, my iphone 7+, keys, cards, cash and hand sanitizer fit beautifully in this bag. I can even slip in a lip balm in the front zippered compartment. It’s so handy and I really adore the aquamarine strap which adds a pop of colour. The sweet combination of pastel hues also makes it a breeze to match with most casual wear in solid colours. In this series of photos, I was feeling a little cutesy so I amped up the cute factor by adding a unicorn keychain from my Little Twin Stars collection.

What I love most about this bag is that baby R gets to use it when she’s older. As you can tell, even at the tender age of 7 months, she can’t keep her hands and eyes off it.

Jujube Hello Sanrio Sweets collection will be launched alongside Red Ruby and Cleopatra on 17 July at 12pm. I’m hoping to snag a Be Neat to match my Mini Helix!

If you’re looking for a diaper bag in the form of a backpack, the Forever Backpack by Jujube wouldn’t disappoint because it literally packs a punch and is definitely one of the more well designed bags around.

Let’s start with its appearance. I love the classic minimalist design in vegan leather. It comes in 3 stylish colours, namely Noir, Brûlée and Stone. More importantly, the sleek design is suitable for both genders, which explains why my hubby couldn’t wait to take over the diaper bag from me!

I couldn’t believe how light it is, even after transferring all the baby essentials over from my usual diaper bag.  There are 13 compartments, including 2 exterior bottle pockets, a roomy front pocket (I stuff tissues and wet wipes here for easy access), and an additional zippered flat pocket at the top for your phone and cards! I’ve honestly never felt more organised. This makes the perfect diaper bag for outings and overnight stays too. I’ll definitely be taking this along with me for our upcoming staycation!

And now, for the million dollar question. When is it launching? This baby hails from the latest Ever Collection, which will be launched in Singapore tomorrow (12 June 2018) along with the Olive Rose and Tula x Jujube collections!

Taobao became my best friend when I was living in China last year. I got to scout out the best deals and shop in the comfort of my home. Convenience aside, every time my parcels arrived, it felt like Christmas.

Overseas shipping is a challenge now that I’m back in Singapore, which is why I rely on Ezbuy for hassle free Taobao shopping . 

Why Ezbuy?

 1. Transparent shipping costs

My greatest worry when it comes to international shipping is unknown and unexpected shipping costs. With ezbuy, you know exactly how much you will be paying as the products and shipping cost are clearly stated upon checkout. Only ONE payment is needed and shipping is as low as S$1.69 for your fashion apparel!

2. Value-added agent services

While I can speak and write Chinese fluently, I’ve heard horror stories about how some Taobao vendors try to scam international buyers as it’s more difficult for overseas buyers to seek recourse. Ezbuy saves you the trouble of having to communicate with Chinese vendors and falling prey to potential scams.

I also like how ezbuy’s inspection service and aftersales service offer you complete peace of mind. You’ll never have to worry about missing or defective items being sent to you.Case in point: I remember some of the chairs I ordered from ezbuy late last year went missing. You’ll be happy to know that ezbuy promptly refunded me the difference.

3. Prime shipping (S$2.99)

You know those chairs I told you about? I got a few of them shipped over at just S$2.99! If you’re thinking of renovating your home, be sure to look out for ezbuy’s Prime deals.

Free Agent Fee for April 2017

Now, here’s the good news. All shoppers will be able to enjoy ezbuy’s value-added services at no additional cost this month!

 Online shopping is a breeze with ezbuy and here are just some of the amazing Taobao deals that I managed to snag:

This pair of nude gladiator heels is a head-turner and instant conversation starter.

As you can tell, it goes with just about anything!

Here’s a full outfit from Taobao. The minimalist bag is one of my wardrobe favourites. I love it so much, I gave one to a close friend as a gift.

Here are some of my favourite bohemian dresses from Tabao vai ezbuy:

Are you new to ezbuy? Sign up here to get S$10 credit and shop at ezbuy now!

And you know what the best part is? No minimum spending is required!

When I first graduated from university, I could never find suits that fit my petite frame. I was such a loyal fan of Singapore label ioRA because I could easily find work suits in my size – XS.

Fast forward to today and you’ll realise so much has changed. ioRA has undergone a massive facelift. Think minimalist silhouettes and affordable yet chic designs for the busy urbanite. It also has a sister brand LALU, a casual wear line where denim, cotton and knitwear take centerstage.  Surprise, surprise, their prices are also more pocket-friendly now. Many items are competitively priced at 2 for S$29 or S$39!

I was spoilt for choice when I visited their pop-up store at Wisma recently.  It’s their largest store in Singapore to date and spans over 1200sqm. ioRA has also collaborated with Hush Puppies and Chomel to put together an exclusive selection of apparels and accessories that appeal to both ladies and men.

Let me show you some of my favourite picks from both ioRA and LALU!

ioRA

I wore this minimalist dress with asymmetrical hemline on my birthday last month and it drew so many compliments from friends and strangers alike.

Believe it or not, I wore this set for a  hike at Kawah Domas in Bandung. I hadn’t planned to hike that day but I was enticed by the gorgeous pictures that I saw online and decided to go ahead regardless. As you can tell, ioRA’s clothes survived the hike thanks to their excellent workmanship!

LALU

This athleisure netted jacket had me head over heels in love.

This bow tweed dress that I wore for cafe hopping in Bandung is such a timeless yet sophisticated piece. Last I heard, it was flying off the rack like hotcakes!

The layering trend is all the rage right now and I had to jump on the bandwagon with this layered camisole top (it’s a one piece!). I paired with the comfiest denim jeans that feels next to nothing.

Twinning with Karen in the same outfit

If you haven’t started shopping for Chinese New Year, pop by ioRA’s pop-up store at Wisma this weekend and be rewarded with a voucher giveaway! I am certain you wouldn’t be disappointed.

**Voucher Giveaway (7-8 Jan 2017)**

To usher in the new year, ioRA and LALU are giving away S$5 worth of shopping vouchers with every S$30 spent at the pop-up store located at Isetan Wisma level 1 this weekend from 5th to 6th January!

This promotion is held exclusively at iORA Isetan Wisma Atria #01-00 (435 Orchard Road Singapore 238877).

Happy shopping!

Before we went to Xinjiang, we were warned by everyone we knew that we were venturing  into dangerous territory. Well, we certainly were. If you so decide to follow our footsteps and embark on journey to the west, here are some tips that you might find useful:

1) Don’t eat the fruits

Because they’re so sweet, you can never get used to fruits from other parts of the world (not even Japan) ever again. The fruits here are sweeter than their counterparts from the rest of the world because of the arid climate which results in more sugar deposits. To give you an idea of how yummy the fruits are, we had grapes and cantaloupes everyday, at every meal.

2) Don’t talk to the Uyghurs

Uyghurs are the indigenous population of Xinjiang. Try not to talk to them because you’ll be so enamoured by their sharp features and striking good looks thanks to their Turkish and Central European heritage, you’ll never want to leave their company (look at how adorable the children are!). Don’t even get me started on how friendly and personable they are. Contrary to popular belief that they are hostile and unfriendly, we were greeted with warm smiles and showered with nothing but kindness  throughout our stay in Xinjiang.

3) Don’t try the lamb

The lamb is tender and well marinated with a complex mix of spices. If tastes so amazing, I assure you you’ll never see lamb in the same light or taste lamb that is this good ever again.

4) Don’t visit the ruins

Why? It’s going to be hard to find similar spots anywhere else in the world. Photography enthusiasts and history buffs will be blown away by the enigmatic beauty and rich historical background of beautiful ruins such as Jiaohe Ruins and Gaochang Ruins. The best thing about these places is that they are not touristy at all, which means that you have all the time in the world to soak in the splendour of your surroundings.

Gaochang was once the biggest city in Xinjiang and served as an important commercial and cultural center on the northern edge of the Silk Road. It was also an important religious center. Fans of the novel Journey To The West may also recall that this was where Buddhist monk Xuanzang spent several years teaching Buddhism while he was on his way to India.

Jiaohe Ruins is another important UNESCO World Heritage Site along the Silk Road. Slightly less than 2000 years old, the city was home to 7000 residents before it was destroyed when Genghis Khan led an invasion in the 13th century. This to me, is the Pompeii of the East. Beautiful isn’t it?

5) Don’t dress like a Uyghur

I wore traditional Uyghur dresses to some of the places of attraction. These dresses are instant conversation-starters and drew many compliments from the friendly Uyghur community – a great way to break the ice if you ask me.

However, if you think dressing up like a Uyghur will help you to fit in, especially when you’re taking domestic flights to another city in Xinjiang or other Chinese cities, you can’t be more wrong. I absolutely adore their traditional dresses and decided to wear one of them on board a flight from Kashgar to Urumqi. Thanks to the way I was dressed (and probably due to my supposedly non-Chinese and more Uyghur appearance), I was subjected to much a stricter security screening process as I was viewed as a security threat. The female security officer, who was a Uyghur by the way, singled me out and reached her hands into my undergarments, in the hope of finding perhaps a knife or a bomb attached to my body. The minute I muttered a few words in English (probably expletives), she stopped searching and exclaimed aloud “She is not a Uyghur” in Chinese to her colleague.

That sums up my first-hand experience of discrimination against Uyghurs by Uyghurs.

Now, if you haven’t already realised by now, tip no. 5 is  the only “do not do this” tip that you should abide by.

Xinjiang is such a charming destination and definitely one of my favourite places on the map thus far. It breaks my heart to know that the Uyghurs are treated as strangers in their own land, but let’s save the rest of that story for another day.

I used to feel this way all the time whenever I open my closet. And because I think I have nothing to wear, I go shopping. It’s a vicious cycle that never stops really. I have to clear my wardrobe all the time to make space for new clothes and the amount of wastage generated is just embarrassing. There are pieces that I’ve worn only once and have never seen the light of day again because they’re no longer in trend or I just don’t fancy them anymore. In the worst case scenario, some are brand new with tags on – impulse buys obviously.

Does this sound all too familiar to you? Today, I’m going to share the solution to your problems.

Did you know that Style Theory, a new designer clothing subscription service in Singapore that gives you access to unlimited designer clothes at just S$109 a month? It was only when I decided to declutter my wardrobe and curb my shopping habits that I found out about this amazing deal.

Besides unlimited designer clothes, you get to save time, wardrobe space and all that moolah that goes to shopping and dry cleaning. Imagine how much I could have saved if I had kicked my nasty habits earlier!

Here’s how it works:

The entire process is fuss-free! The app automatically selects outfits for you based on your style preferences and measurements. Plus, there’s no need to do any laundry (BIG YAY please!) and you can easily schedule a return which comes prepaid whenever you’re ready.  I picked out my first box of 3 gorgeous pieces from Style Theory recently and they arrived in an elegant marble print box.

Here are some of the pieces I picked:

Thai designer – The Only Son (@theonlyson_studio)

Top from Patinya//Shorts from Cameo

This is one of the best ways to declutter your wardrobe and always have something nice to wear. Isn’t it great to have the best of both worlds?

Just look at all the brands that you’ll have instant access to:

Interested in subscribing too? Click here to join the waitlist!

Why is there a waitlist? Style Theory is currently in the soft launch stage. When it is formally launched, the first group of ladies on the waitlist will receive an invitation to subscribe to their service. They’ll gradually open up more slots to the next group on the waitlist.

To avoid any disappointment, I would highly recommend that you join the waitlist now!

I’m sure Revolve needs no introduction. If you’re a fan like me, it’s time to rejoice because their 3 Day Sale is happening right now from 20th Sept 7am to 22nd Sep 11.59pm and you’ll get 20% off your purchases!

All you have to do is key in the code: FALL20 upon checkout.

I’m always spoiled for choice whenever I browse Revolve’s website. Besides my favourite designer labels such as For Love & Lemons and Free People, I discovered other brands that I personally adore too.

Here are some of my picks (click on the pics or links to see more!):

1. Privacy Please

If you like basic pieces with a twist, you’ll fall in love with Privacy Please.

Thank you to Revolve for sending the Clairborne Romper over.

If you don’t already know, international shipping takes only 3 days and it’s absolutely free for orders above USD100!

2. L’Academie

I like L’Academie for its preppy chic designs…

…and PJ inspired looks!

3. Lovers + Friends

You can always count on Lovers + Friends for elegant and feminine designs.

4. LPA

Looking for the perfect party dress to dazzle the crowd during year-end festivities? LPA has the answer!

5. Tularosa

Going boho chic is easy peasy with Tularosa.

6. NBD

NBD is my favourite label for chic and edgy streetwear.

7. Majorelle

Rock those vintage chic vibes with Majorelle!

8. Raye

Need a shoe fix? Raye has got you covered.

9. Grlfrnd

Everyone needs a pair (or more) jeans in their wardrobe. Pick one that rocks your boat at Grlfrnd!

Happy Shopping!

__________________

* This promo code cannot be combined with other offers. The promo code is not valid on pre-order items, cannot be applied to previous orders, gift card purchases, or applied to fees associated with shipping or taxes.

* The discount code is not valid for use on the following brands: Alice + Olivia, A.L.C., Ash, Black Halo, Canada Goose, Citizens of Humanity, Common Projects, Diane von Furstenberg, Elizabeth and James, Hudson Jeans, J Brand, Joie, Love Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Mason by Michelle Mason, M Missoni, Paige Denim, Public School, rag & bone/JEAN, 7 For All Mankind, Soft Joie, Stuart Weitzman, T by Alexander Wang, Theory, Vince, Wolverine. Other restrictions may apply. Eminent Inc. reserves the right to modify this promotion at any time. This promo code will expire automatically on September 22nd at 11:59 PM local time.

Staycations in Singapore are perhaps the best alternative to traveling overseas. JW and I are addicted to staycations and we are always on the lookout for unique experiences. While we certainly appreciate well-established luxury 4-5 star hotels, there are times when we prefer to take the path less travelled.

Today, I will be sharing some staycation ideas that will invoke a sense of nostalgia by transporting you back to Singapore in the old days and are equally instagram-worthy too.

1. Kam Leng Hotel

I have always been intrigued by old Singapore architecture and shophouses. Conserved buildings are rare in Singapore, much less conserved buildings that serve as hotels. Kam Leng Hotel was established in 1927 (I bet some of your grandparents weren’t even born yet!) and was apparently a hot favourite among tourists then.

It reopened in 2002 as a heritage budget hotel (prices can be as low as $90 and below). Although it has been refurbished, the interior still reflects an old-world charm reminiscent of the 1920s. Thanks to the no-frills amenities (with the exception of a flat-screen TV and air-conditioning), the entire back-to-basics experience is pretty authentic too. I felt like I was instantly transported back to the 1920s as I walked along the dimly lit corridors, complete with peeling walls and vintage paintings.

It is not exactly the best place to go if you intend to live it up, but the rooms are neat and clean. If you love vintage decor or photography and don’t mind roughing it out just a little, you would love it!

2. Petain Road

 There are some noteworthy shophouses that you can book via Airbnb. We booked a retro themed apartment in this gorgeous 4-storey shophouse along Petain Road recently.

Every room has a different theme, but you know me, retro rocks my boat any day.

Dress from Acne Studios

The rooms are very spacious and extremely photogenic. We definitely had a very comfortable stay here. Oh and did I mention that every room is equipped with Netflix?

You can stay in and cook if you want to, or better still, pop over to the Punggol Nasi Lemak stall or the famous Lavender Wanton Noodles stall around the corner to satiate your hunger pangs. For the best coffee in Singapore, I would highly recommend The Pourover Bar at 3 Petain Road. They share the same premises as Ollella, a cafe that serves up delicious chouquettes.

3. Hotel 1929

Hotel 1929 is another heritage hotel where the old and new coexist in harmony. Located right in the heart of Tiong Bahru along Keong Siak Road, there are 32 individually designed rooms in 5 room categories. Tiong Bahru is one of my favourite districts in Singapore as there are many lovely cafes housed within conserved heritage buildings. For those of you who would love to make a trip down memory lane, you might want to consider staying here.

Image Credit: Hotel 1929

4. New Majestic Hotel

New Majestic Hotel is probably one of the more luxurious heritage hotels in Singapore. Located in bustling Chinatown, it has a strong focus on design, local culture and the Arts. Think colonial furniture from Singapore in the 1920s – 1960s, restored vintage Compton fans and a mix of designer and vintage furniture in every room. In my opinion, this is the epitome of heritage chic.

Image credit: New Majestic Hotel

5. The Scarlet Singapore

Known as Singapore’s first luxury boutique hotel, The Scarlet Singapore is housed within an original 1924 Art Deco Building along vibrant Club Street, where you’ll find specialty shops, cafes, wine bars, art galleries and antique shops. Every room is dressed in jewellery-inspired colours and evoke passion, splendour and opulence. Prefer something even more luxurious? Book one of their 5 individually themed suites!

Image credit: The Scarlet

I hope this post comes in useful, especially if you’re planning a staycation soon and wish to experience a different side of Singapore! Meanwhile, have a great weekend ahead!

*All images belong to the author, unless otherwise stated*