Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
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Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
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Palm Beach & Avalon Beach

November 25, 2012 by Regina Chow 2 Comments
We’re leaving Sydney very soon and while I do miss Singapore very much, I know I’ll really miss the pristine beaches, many of which remain untouched by commercialization.
Two of such beaches are Palm Beach and Avalon Beach, tucked safely away from civilization in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney.
We were the only visitors at Avalon Beach that day. Time seemed to stand still as we watched the waves crashing against the beach and felt the soft sand beneath our feet.
Secluded beaches like this are hard to come by these days, and there are times when I wonder why Australians venture abroad to Bali etc. when there are so many gorgeous beaches right at their doorstep.
The Palm Beach vicinity may be home to the rich and famous, but likewise, the beach is untainted by any signs of development and absolutely perfect for relaxing on a sunny afternoon.
Monokini from Valleygirl

The beaches at Manly and Bondi are immensely popular spots for people watching, but if you crave a little quiet time alone, away from the hustle and bustle, Palm Beach and Avalon Beach may just be your cup of tea. To me at least, these are the best kept secrets of Sydney. πŸ˜‰
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Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi Beach & Tamarama Beach

November 2, 2012 by Regina Chow No Comments

Sculpture by the Sea is an annual sculpture exhibition on the eastern coast of Sydney. Beautifully crafted sculptures line Tamarama Beach and Bondi Beach, injecting an artistic vibe to the coastlines!
Beach culture is prevalent all over Australia, which works in my favour because I love hanging out at the beach! I know it’s hard to believe that someone like me, who shies away from the sun and doesn’t swim at all, can actually take a fancy to the beach, but there’s something about the crashing waves and soft, pristine sand that sets my heart aflutter.

I adore art exhibitions as well, simply because it is interesting to see how creative ideas are transformed into works of art. The fruits of labour are often unexpected, or even incomprehensible in some cases, but the element of surprise is very intriguing indeed.

This dome installation is one of my favourites. Who would have thought of rolling up colourful t-shirts to create roses? The enchanting visual impact is a testament of the artist’s ingenuity!
Here are some of the other artworks that caught my eye:

We parked at Tamarama Beach and walked all the way to Bondi, enjoying the sights along the way. Sydney has no lack of gorgeous beaches, but Bondi beach is definitely the place to be seen. It is no surprise that it is the most crowded of all beaches, because this is where all the action is! 
 We were there on a Wednesday, but look at how crowded the beach was!
 Time to quench our thirst on a scorching hot day!
What more could you ask for when you have a spectacular view of the beach and its glorious waves?
This is my idea of a perfect afternoon. Sipping on fresh juice and gazing at the vast ocean is so relaxing and therapeutic, I feel like I’m in paradise. 
Now that the weather is warmer, I’ve been heading out more often for a spot of beach therapy! I always feel rejuvenated after a day at the beach.
What about you? Do you love beaches too? πŸ™‚
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Great Ocean Road

October 31, 2012 by Regina Chow No Comments
Everyone who has been to Melbourne would have gone on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road, where you’ll be treated to scenic views of the vast ocean expanse. I’m not exactly a fan of nature, unless the view is spectacular of course. In this case, I thought the scenery was rather monotonous. 
It was just us and the ocean, nothing else. For 4 hours.

Regardless, that didn’t stop us from getting out of the car to take photos along the way.

I was more excited about our lunch at The Bottle of Milk, a quaint establishment that sells some of the best burgers around.

Who else could’ve made me more excited about lunch than my very own Mr Grey?

Erm, maybe not. 

Now let’s focus on the burger, which is made of premium quality Australian beef. It’s yummy and humungous to boot! We ended up sharing, because as the age-old adage goes, sharing is caring.

After lunch, it was back to the Great Ocean. This time, we had a slightly different view.

There were rolling hills, green pastures and cows, just like the rural parts of Europe which I absolutely love.

After more rolling hills and what seemed like an eternity, we finally arrived at The Twelve Apostles. 

We were overwhelmed by the picturesque scenery around us. Naturally, we started snapping away, like every other tourist there. Until our DSLR died on us, that is.
 I know, there are probably only about 6 Apostles left (excluding the miserable stumps you see protruding from the sea surface) but let’s forget that and just take a moment to enjoy the beauty that mother nature has bestowed upon us. 
Although from certain angles, The Twelve Apostles actually look like The Three Sisters submerged in water. πŸ˜›

Ten minutes away from The Twelve Apostles, two shipwrecked survivors emerged from the sea at Loch Ard Gorge. I’m not referring to the two below though.
There were no shipwrecked survivors that day, but there was one fearless rockclimber.
Isn’t the photographer awesome? She’s also very skilled at multi-tasking. She was telling the rockclimber to be careful, sighing and rolling her eyes while the camera was rolling. 
Such are the perils of marrying a rockclimber. 
Sigh, my dog life.

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Rosebullet and Tattoos

October 28, 2012 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

I love Japanese labels for their easy-to-wear feminine designs, petite sizing and excellent workmanship. Labels such as Rosebullet and Dip Drops may be slightly pricier than what you would typically find at Far East Plaza, but trust me, the quality is unrivaled. 
I was ecstatic when my good friend, Grace, who knows that I have a soft spot for Japanese labels, kindly offered to help me purchase this beautiful angora set by Rosebullet with her discount vouchers!

I was over the moon when I received this. The weather in Sydney still dips well below 20 degrees on certain days, so this angora set is perfect for keeping warm without me having to layer extensively.
The tattoo stockings trend probably hasn’t caught on very much in Singapore, but they can easily be found in Hong Kong and Japan. Surprise surprise…this pair of Japanese tattoo stockings was from Kinokuniya. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that bookstores would resort to selling stockings. I guess times are hard these days, especially with the invention of eBooks. Nobody goes to bookstores for books anymore!

Anyhow, I was sold the minute I saw the cute little bows. They’re adorable, aren’t they? Kinokuniya should seriously consider diversifying into stockings. πŸ˜›

Angora top and tulle dress from Rosebullet
Tattoo stockings from Kinokuniya
Pumps from Chanel
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Cafes in Melbourne Part 2

October 26, 2012 by Regina Chow 1 Comment
Karen was enlisted as our cafe-hopping accomplice on the second day of our Melbourne trip. It’s amazing how often I’ve been meeting Karen despite being down under most of the time this year. I’ve been seeing her every month and now, I can’t wait to embark on our New Zealand trip in December!

My dear friend is a huge fan of the french toast from Degraves Espresso, our first stop for the day. Located along a quaint alley that’s bustling with life, this cozy little joint reminds me of the European cafes that I have grown to be so fond of.

I have a penchant for attractive food presentation, so you can imagine my delight when the french toast was served with a light dusting of sugar. Little details like this make such an enormous difference to the entire gastronomic experience. 
Hot chocolate is a staple for Karen because like me, she doesn’t take caffeine.

Unfortunately, Karen lamented that the French toast that day was not up to standard. According to her, it is usually crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The bread was indeed a tad too hard, but other than the texture, it was relatively yummy.

Just when you thought we would be full from all the carbohydrates in the morning, we headed immediately to our next stop for food – MART 130! Sometimes, I wonder where all the food we eat go to, because we hardly put on weight considering that we’re eating practically all the time!

Situated at a tram stop which has since been refurbished and converted into a cafe, the very aptly named MART 130 (read it the other way and you’ll see why!) offers a wide array of food that’s bound to delight your taste buds.

We ordered the pancakes with fruits compote and corn fritters to share. You can never go wrong with pancakes in Australia. I’ve had my fair share of thick, fluffy pancakes here, and never once have I been disappointed!

I’ve a huge soft spot for corn fritters. In fact, I’m determined to learn how to make corn fritters so I can have them any time of the day!

On a completely random note, I had just bought this gorgeous pink fur coat from Harry Wragg (a fabulous vintage store in Melbourne) and totally couldn’t keep my hands off it.

Karen was pretty in pink too!

Looking forward to seeing our outfits for the day? 
Here they are:

Hairclip from Alannah Hill
Floral Dress from Liz Lisa
Angora Fur Coat from Harry Wragg

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Cafes in Melbourne Part 1

October 24, 2012 by Regina Chow 2 Comments
It is no secret that Melbourne’s cafe culture is a huge inspiration to many cities around the world, including Singapore. Sipping chai latte in petite hole-in-a-wall cafes is one of my favourite pastimes. That explains why I literally spent every single day cafe hopping while I was in Melbourne. The relaxed vibe, chic decor, enticing food and aromatic coffee are enough to make me giddy with excitement!
One of my favourite cafes is Hardware Societe, which serves delicious breakfast in a cozy, intimate setting. Unlike most cafes, where the food tends to be hit and miss, Hardware Societe whips up hearty and flavourful dishes that are bound to tantalize your tastebuds!

I am not an early bird and hardly have much appetite for breakfast in the morning, but the omelette with saffron potatoes, confit tomatoes, persian fetta and herbs (A$16) was just what I needed to whet my appetite. The fresh and tasty ingredients complemented the fluffy omelette perfectly, and every bite was accompanied by an explosion of flavours. It was an orgasmic experience!

JW had the baked eggs with chorizo sausages, paprika, spiced tomato concassee and idiazabel ewes milk cheese (A$16). If you’ve been to Wild Honey at Mandarin Gallery in Singapore, this tastes pretty much just like it except that the flavours are richer.

JW was also full of praise for the coffee at Hardware Societe. But then again, bad coffee is virtually non-existent in Melbourne!

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Chai Latte, my personal favourite of all time. Most chai lattes that I had in Melbourne turned out to be huge disappointments. Thankfully, Hardware Societe’s Soy Chai Latte was wonderful and the icing on the cake came in the form of a little churros ball. The cinnamon spices in the churros ball goes really well with the spices in the Chai Latte!

As you can tell, JW was very pleased with the food and drinks at Hardware Societe, so if you ever decide to pop by Melbourne, this is one cafe you have to stop by for breakfast!

If you’re crazy for Chai Latte (like me), you have to check out 1000Β£ Blend Cafe.

This cafe was formerly a motorbike repair garage that has since been refurbished to become one of the most interesting and distinctive hideouts for the creative community in Melbourne. Parked within the cafe itself is an art gallery and an air-conditioned cinema space, which are unique features that distinguish itself from the other run-of-the-mill cafes.

If you’re wondering why the both of us are busy looking at our mobile phones, that’s because this is one of the few cafes around with free wifi all day long!

Although we didn’t try the food here as the menu was rather limited, the chai latte here was the best that I’ve ever tried. Freshly brewed from tea leaves, this sweet, creamy concoction is the epitome of perfection. I was so bowled over by this delightful drink, I visited the cafe two days in a row just to get my chai latte fix!

Hardware Societe:
120 HARDWARE STREET, MELBOURNE, VIC 3000
1000Β£ Blend Cafe
361 LT LONSDALE STREET
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Look out for more reviews on the cafes I visited in Melbourne in my next post! πŸ™‚
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Chilly Days

October 13, 2012 by Regina Chow 2 Comments
Just when we thought Spring was here, we were all caught by surprise when the weather took a turn for the worst yesterday, with heavy rainfall and temperatures dipping way below 10 degrees. It was so chilly, it snowed in Blue Mountains! 
Unpredictable weather changes call for an entire change of wardrobe. Hence, gone are the t-shirts and shorts. Instead, here I am, back in my fall/winter wear.
 
This dark green jumper from Japanese label Dip Drops is one of my favourite pieces for fall.  It came as a set together with a coffee bean print blouse and is so easy to match. I’ve worn the set previously, but to refresh your memory, click on the link below to see what it looks like:
Schoolgirl vs Granny
JW bought this pair of black rimmed spectacles for me from a stationery shop at Leura. It is sooo cool because the spectacle frame is held by 2 black pens which rest perfectly on your ears just like a normal pair of specs. I’m going to bring this with me everywhere! It’s bound to be an excellent conversation starter. πŸ˜‰
 Jumper from Dip Drops
Mustard Cardigan from Singapore
Hat from Forever New
Garter stockings from Topshop
Shoes from Aldo
Glomesh bag from Vintage shop in Katoomba
 While I continue praying for sunny days ahead, I hope everyone out there is enjoying their weekend so far! πŸ™‚
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What’s in My Handbag?

October 11, 2012 by Regina Chow 3 Comments
Recently, I decided to reorganize the contents of handbag because it was getting way too heavy for my petite frame and I was starting to get backaches. You know how some girls like to bring their entire bedroom (excluding clothes) out with them? Erm, yes I was guilty of that.
So, after a massive cleanup, I thought I’d share what’s in my handbag now. I can do without a mobile phone (yes I’m serious!), but not without these. These are my absolute must-haves.

(Clockwise from top)
 1) Watsons Baby Wipes – Singaporeans would exclaim at how “auntie” I am, but honestly, I can’t live without wet wipes! It cleans everything and this particular type that I have has the most amazing floral scent.
2) Chanel wallet – I am generally more accustomed to long wallets and have gone through a couple of Prada ones (I still use a long Prada wallet when I’m in Singapore) but this Chanel wallet is so compact and durable, I love using it when I’m overseas.
3) Blink Intensive Tears eyedrops – The climate in Australia is pretty dry, and since I use contact lenses, eye drops are a must for me.  

4) Duo adhesive eyelash glue – I carry this around for emergency touch-ups as I usually have falsies on.

5) Loccitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream – This was a gift from Felicia because she knew I can’t live without hand creams. I like the light texture, which absorbs into your skin instantly. Comes with a sweet cherry blossom scent too!
6) Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream – I carry 2 hand creams with me in case 1 runs out. I know, I think of everything! Haha. The Jurlique hand cream is richer than the Loccitane one. It’s my holy grail, especially during the cold and dry winter months. It’s probably the best hand cream I’ve ever used and I’m planning to buy another tube soon. 
7) Lucas Pawpaw Ointment – This is one of the best multipurpose balms that you can ever find. I use this as a lipbalm because my lips are perpetually chapped but this works as an ointment for boils, burns, chafing, cuts, cracked skin, gravel, rash, splinters, open wounds, insect bites and nappy rash. Yes I just copied that off the back of the tube. I’ve actually tried it on cracked skin and it works!
8) MAC Angel Lipstick –  I hardly use lipsticks but I carry two around just in case I need that extra perk-me-up on days when I’m tired. This is my favourite nude lipstick as the pinkish undertones ensure that I don’t look pale and sickly.

9) YSL Rouge Volupte #8 – This is a creamy blue-based pink hue with an opaque finish that glides onto your lips effortlessly. I like that it is highly pigmented and one stroke is all you need. The Rouge Volupte range has a very creamy formula which keeps your lips moisturized the entire day. The colour also stays so incredibly well that there are times when I don’t need to touch up even after a meal. I use this on days when I want a stronger lip to lend a touch of colour to my face.  
This is what it looks like on me (I dabbed on the lipstick instead for a more sheer finish):
Hope you enjoyed this post! πŸ™‚
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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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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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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)

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CNBC ("Pricey Singapore: Savvy shoppers go online" - 28 Dec 2014)

For advertorials/partnerships, feel free to contact me at regina.chow@gmail.com.

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