blogging events – Page 3

Uncategorized

ISOI Natural Korean Skincare

December 15, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

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.

Intensive Sugar Scrub (50ml) – S$62

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

Uncategorized

Mary Chia Intensive Weight Vaporiser Treatment

November 10, 2014 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

While it is difficult to imagine that slimming is one of my concerns, health, fitness and wellness are certainly areas that are close to my heart, especially as age catches up with me.

So yes, today’s post may be about Mary Chia’s Intensive Weight Vaporiser, one of the most popular slimming treatments offered by the leading beauty and slimming specialist, but it isn’t entirely about weight loss.

Mary Chia is Singapore’s first home-grown lifestyle and wellness service provider to be publicly listed on the SGX-ST Catalist, and it now operates 8 outlets in Singapore, 6 outlets in Malaysia, with 3 unique spa concepts that cater to different demographics.

When I heard that their Intensive Weight Vaporiser treatment improves blood circulation and serves as an effective detox for my body even if slimming may not be my top priority, I decided it would be interesting to give it a try. The best part is, no pills, injections or special dietary requirements are needed.

Who’s suitable for this treatment?

This

treatment is generally suitable for anyone who wants to lose weight or
detox. However, if you have
health issues such as heart problems and high blood pressure, or if you
are pregnant, you may wish to seek professional medical advice before
embarking on this treatment.

So, what’s the treatment like?

I will be giving you a step-by-step run-through of the treatment to give you a better understanding of what to expect. Read on to find out more.

Step 1: Personalized Consultation and BMI Analysis

I was brought into a private room to fill up a form on my health and skin concerns before I was ushered to a machine for a BMI analysis which gives a detailed breakdown of my fat percentage, bone mass, muscle mass as well as what my ideal weight and fat percentage should be.

This is perhaps the most important step in the treatment because a thorough analysis and personalized consultation gives the consultant a better understanding of your body and health condition, allowing her to customize the programme to optimize its effectiveness. Based on this assessment, the consultant would also be able to better advice you on the number of sessions required to achieve your desired results.

I have always been underweight because of my small bone structure (trust me, I do eat and my husband claims I eat more than him!), thus the consultant shared that I could consider doing the treatment just once a month for detox and overall wellness.

Step 2: Vibration Bed

After the consultation, I was escorted to the locker area to keep my personal belongings and change out into a comfortable robe before proceeding to the treatment rooms. I must say I was pretty impressed with the finger print identification technology used for the lockers!

I have to admit I was a little apprehensive when I first saw the vibration bed because I have never seen a machine quite like this. I laid down on my back,with my head nestled into the cushion and my legs propped up. The vertical cocoon-like contraption was then pulled down horizontally to cover my body.

The vibration bed heated up instantly to about 40 degrees Celsius and a series of vibrations ran through the entire bed.

I could feel my body rocking from side to side as I began to work up a sweat. Did you know that 15 minutes on this vibration bed is equivalent to 45 minutes of rigorous exercise? If exercise is not your cup of tea, this vibration bed is probably just what you need.

Even if you exercise regularly, there are times when you sustain injuries. For instance, I suffered a back injury recently and had to stay off my yoga mat for a period of time. This vibration bed serves as an ideal substitute for exercise in such situations as the vibrations and rocking motions are gentle enough to prevent further injury while you reap the same benefits of exercising. In fact, I was told that many elderly clients who have difficulties moving about get their dose of exercise through this low impact vibration bed too.

Besides providing an alternative
to exercise, the vibration bed also promotes lymphatic drainage, which
is great for detox, relieving water retention and weight loss.

My verdict? It definitely felt like a good workout and I really liked the massaging effect on my back as well.

For those of you who are interested in weight loss, you’ll be happy to know that you can lose approximately 500g – 2kg after each session, while you are lying comfortably on the vibration bed. It actually felt so comfortable that I dozed off after a while.

Step 3: Sauna

Right after wiping off beads of perspiration from my “workout” on the vibration bed, I was led to the sauna for another 15 minutes. Despite the heat (around 45 degrees Celsius), it was a relaxing experience as I was given some magazines to while my time away, which I thought was a very thoughtful gesture.

The sauna provides physical rejuvenation and improves blood circulation, refreshing the mind and body while sealing in slimming benefits to achieve a svelte figure.

Step 4: Air-Pressure Slimmer

The Air-Pressure Slimmer is yet another interesting device that promotes lymphatic drainage and improves blood circulation. Targeted at the waist and stomach area, an inflatable strap is wrapped around your stomach.

The strap inflates gradually at first, tightening its grip on your tummy before it deflates and completely releases its hold. This process continues for approximately 15 minutes.

Step 5: Full Body Wrap

Finally, the treatment concludes with a full body wrap, where the consultant uses a large roll of cling film to tightly wrap around my body. The full body wrap firms up your skin while you continue to perspire and the effect is akin to that of wearing shape wear or compression garments.

As you are required to wear this body wrap for around 2 hours, it would be best to wear long sleeves and long pants for the treatment.

Step 6: Treatment Feedback

At the end of the treatment, I was offered a glass of tea to replenish the fluids that I lost. My consultant also came by to seek my feedback on the treatment and answer any additional queries that I may have. I appreciated her attention to detail and personalized service, which added a nice touch to the overall experience.

How did I feel after the treatment?

When I first arrived at Mary Chia, I was feeling rather lethargic as I had just returned from Maldives on a red-eye flight that very day but after the treatment, I felt completely refreshed and re-energized.

My skin was glowing and I felt the same rush of adrenalin that I would usually get from hot yoga, except that the nature of this treatment was of a much lower intensity than exercise. I would actually consider doing this on a monthly basis for detox.

Complimentary
Vibration Bed Therapy Trial

If you are interested in trying Mary Chia’s vibration bed
therapy (Step 2), you can head on down to SampleStore.com here:
https://www.samplestore.com/mary-chia-beauty-slimming-specialist-bmi-assessment-therapy.html
to redeem a free trial!

For more details on the treatment and Mary Chia’s full suite of slimming and beauty services, do visit their website here.

Uncategorized

Fashion: Rosebullet Fall 2014 Edit

October 6, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

I am a huge fan of Japanese fashion labels and Rosebullet is certainly one of my favourite brands to date. Needless to say, this post is brought to you in collaboration with Rosebullet, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with them.

“The Rosebullet girl is feminine and sexy, yet strong and independent. She revels in freedom, and loves to experiment. She is as soft as a petal, yet tough as a bullet.”

I view the way I dress as a means of communicating my personality, values and lifestyle with the people around me, and the very characteristics that the Rosebullet brand embodies are a perfect match with my personality and what I, as a woman, aim to achieve in life.

“The Rosebullet girl is feminine and sexy, yet strong and independent.”

Rosebullet’s Fall 2014 collection has gone down a slightly different path this year. In place of the usual frilly, lacy dresses that are commonly associated with the label, this season’s collection boasts an interesting array of edgy and preppy ensembles that retain a hint of femininity.

You can expect to see preppy dungarees like this lovely monochrome checked one that resembles a grid of white square tiles marked by contrasting thin black lines. To add a pop of colour and amp up the feminine factor, pair it with a frilly top and suede lace-up booties in a trendy oxblood shade that’s perfect for fall.

Trendy shades of oxblood that are perfect for Fall

Clothes, Booties and Clutch from Rosebullet Edit (Orchard Gateway)// Cap from Forever New// Socks from Tutuanna (Japan)// Accessories from Chanel

Thinking of taking on the print-on-print trend? Perhaps you could attempt this method of styling. I basically took the black and white checks scheme a notch further by incorporating socks and a clutch (Feroux, from Rosebullet) in the same print and monochrome colour palette. In an interesting reversal of roles, black takes centerstage instead of white this time, adding greater contrast and a touch of boldness to the ensemble.

If you have never tried the print-on-print trend, hopefully this gives you some inspiration to start experimenting!

To find out what else Rosebullet has in store this season and for more styling inspirations, do check out these fashion bloggers’ sites as well:

Roxanne

Melissa Jane Ferosha

Carrie

[(L-R): Me, Roxanne, Melissa, Carrie]

[(R-L): Me, Roxanne, Melissa, Carrie]

Photography Credits:

Coffee Table People

Carrie

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Rosebullet.

Uncategorized

Yun Nam Hair Care

September 15, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

While I may not be plagued by
hair loss issues, I do have a relatively sensitive scalp as I colour my hair frequently. It is also
somewhat oily and itchy. I knew I had to do something about my scalp,
hence I was looking forward to trying out a series of treatments
specially customized for me by Yun Nam Hair Care.

With a total of 27 outlets in both Singapore and Malaysia
since its establishment in 1984, Yun Nam Hair Care is an award-winning hair care brand and a recognized leader in
the haircare industry. By targeting various hair and scalp issues with customized
herbalogy treatments, Yun Nam Hair Care’s greatest achievement is its ability to restore
healthy hair and the confidence of their clients. Yun Nam Hair Care has also won several awards, including the prestigious Superbrands Awards from 2008 to 2010 and 2013.

Yun Nam Hair Care’s professional range of hair
care treatments effectively solves:

– Male Pattern Hair Loss
– Female Pattern Hair Loss
– Premature Hair Loss
– Post-natal Hair Loss

–
Hereditary Hair Loss

–
Ring-shaped Hair Loss

–
Mediterranean Hair Loss

–
Patch Baldness

– Grey
hair

–
Dandruff

– Oily
Scalp

–
Sensitive Scalp

–
Scalp Infection

– Hair
Loss due to Chronic Illnesses

To give you a better understanding of what to expect at a typical consultation and treatment session, I will be sharing more about Yun Nam Hair Care’s 3-Step Approach to guarantee results.

Step 1: Professional Scalp Scan and Analysis

I knew my first consultation with Yun Nam Hair Care was off to a good start when warm smiles greeted me at the reception counter upon arriving at the Tiong Bahru outlet. I was then guided to a consultation room where I was treated to tea and a light snack while I eagerly waited for my hair care specialist to attend to me.

As Yun Nam Hair Care believes in getting down to the root of your hair issues, I was asked to answer some questions about my lifestyle habits and health before treatment commenced. This helps the professional hair care specialists to gain a deeper understanding of how your hair condition came about and allows them to customize your treatment accordingly.

Agnes is my appointed hair care specialist and she will be taking care of all my treatments at Yun Nam Hair Care. She has a friendly and bubbly disposition which put me at ease immediately.

After answering a series of questions, Agnes conducted a scalp scan on different areas of my scalp, including the crown area, the back of my scalp, and the side of my scalp.

Here are the results:

Did you know that a healthy hair follicle usually has three or more strands of hair?

Each hair strand should also have a lifespan of 2-6 years, during which it will regenerate approximately 21-25 times. However, this is only applicable if your hair is in tip-top condition. In many cases, the lifespan of a hair strand and the number of times that it regenerates are shortened, no thanks to our lifestyle habits and environmental stress.

I was informed that I had more hair at the back of my scalp (top-left picture) but I didn’t have as much hair in the other areas of my scalp. Also, my scalp is pretty oily (the whitish residue are traces of oil) and while some of my hair follicles had at least 2-3 strands of hair, there were many hair follicles with just 1 strand of hair due to clogged pores. In a nutshell, what this means is that I have to improve my oily scalp condition before hair loss issues set in.

Agnes then gave me a detailed overview of Yun Nam Hair Care’s products, all of which are 100% herbal. The key ingredient is primarily Ginseng but other herbs such as Danggui and Lingzhi are widely used as well.

Depending on your hair condition, Yun Nam also offers oral supplements to hasten your recovery process.

Step 2: Customized Treatment Programme

To target my oily scalp and clogged pores, Agnes recommended that I should do a course of scalp cleansing treatments. Agnes explained that this step is critical as my hair and scalp will only be able to absorb nutrients to stimulate hair growth and increase hair strength after its state of health has been restored.

You can either choose to have your treatment done in the main hall or in a private room. I wanted to have some privacy, hence I opted to have my first treatment done in a private room.

I was first given a thorough hair wash using Yun Nam Hair Care’s in-house Ginseng shampoo. The Hair Cleansing Lotion and Hair Renewal Lotion are used hand-in-hand with the shampoo to restore my scalp’s PH balance. Yun Nam Hair Care advocates the use of cold water when washing your hair as this prevents irritation.

Next, the Dandruff Emulsion, a strong herbal concoction to melt off traces of dirt and residue was applied using a brush to effectively deep cleanse my scalp.

A hair steamer was used to open up my hair follicles and product absorption to allow deeper penetration of the products into the scalp.

Agnes then rubbed
away the residue with her fingers. I was told that this process helps
to lift all the dirt and grime from my scalp.

I had another round of shampoo followed by conditioner this time. I really enjoyed the light head massage that accompanied the hair wash as I could feel all the tension slipping away into oblivion.

So, what did I think of the treatment?

Amazingly, my hair felt much lighter after the treatment and as I ran my fingers through my hair, I could feel that my scalp was extremely clean. What I love about this treatment is that the effects last for more than two weeks. I wash my hair everyday and I noticed that hair fall was greatly reduced as well.

Agnes did a scalp scan immediately after my treatment and a before-and-after comparison for my reference. From the scan results below, you can see that my oil clogs have cleared up significantly. As this was only my first treatment after all, I was advised to undergo a series of 10 treatments for more permanent results.

Step 3: Home Care & Follow-up

Having a comprehensive set of home care products that is suitable for your hair and scalp condition plays an integral role in achieving the best results.

Here’s the set of products that Agnes recommended based on my scalp analysis. I have just started using these products and will share my thoughts on them in time to come, so do stay tuned to my subsequent posts for more details.

At Yun Nam Hair Care, the hair care specialists are trained to monitor each client’s scalp and hair health, and appropriate treatment adjustments are made along the way for optimal results.

To recap, here are some of the treatment benefits:

100% herbal formula consisting of mainly Ginseng extracts
Fast penetration deep into the scalp
Stimulate New Hair Growth
Unclog and Repair Damaged Hair Follicles
Reduce and Control Hair Fall
Increase Hair Thickness and Strength
Strengthen Hair Roots

*****

Free Consultation at Yun Nam Hair Care

If you are interested to try out Yun Nam Hair Care, you’ll be happy to know that they are offering a free trial redemption for all first-timers!

Click here for more details on Yun Nam Hair Care’s free trial redemption.

Yun Nam Hair Care

Website: http://www.yunnamhaircare.com.sg

Hotline: 6363 3232

Outlets in Singapore:

Century Square
City Square Mall
Heartland Mall
Jubilee Square
Jurong Point
Lot One Shoppers’ Mall
Plaza Singapura
Tiong Bahru Plaza
Woodlands Civic Centre

Uncategorized

Julie’s Biscuit Factory Tour in Malacca

September 9, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Julie’s Biscuits is the brainchild of Perfect Food Manufacturing and being a fan of Julie’s Biscuits (I love the Cheese and Peanut Butter varieties!) since young, I was especially excited when I received an invitation to visit their factory in Alor Gajah, a town near Malacca.

The Julie’s brand was introduced to the Malaysian market in 1982 and has since become a household name that needs no introduction. The biscuits at Perfect Food Manufacturing are all “baked with love”, a motto that all staff abide by and are immensely proud of.

I felt the love immediately upon arrival. We were received by their warm and friendly staff who promptly whisked us off to a cozy reception area where a sumptuous feast awaited.

The desserts that you see here are made using Julie’s biscuits. They’re pretty amazing, aren’t they?

This mission of Perfect Food Manufacturing and Julie’s Biscuits is:

“We bake with love

We care for the society

We love the earth”

True to their company mission, Mr Martin Ang, General Manager of Perfect Food Manufacturing, and his team went the extra mile to ensure that we were well taken care of every step of the way.

Mr Martin Ang, General Manager of Perfect Food Manufacturing

While we chomped down on the tasty Malacca dishes thoughtfully prepared by the team, our eyes were met with a dazzling array of Julie’s biscuits on display.

I have been eating Julie’s Biscuits since young and even my dad is a huge fan of their Peanut Butter biscuits.

To my surprise, I found out that Julie’s Biscuits’ range of products extend way beyond their popular Cheese and Peanut Butter biscuits to encompass assorted biscuits and even love letters.

To give us a better understanding of Perfect Food Manufacturing and Julie’s Biscuits, we were led to the conference room where Mr Martin Ang and his team gave us a thorough introduction.

I couldn’t help but get distracted by the tantalizing biscuits that lay before me and I wasn’t alone. In fact, all of us couldn’t resist snacking on the biscuits even when our lunch had barely settled. These biscuits are just irresistible.

Photo credit: William

To date, Julie’s Biscuits are exported to more than 50 countries around the world. What is the brand’s unique selling proposition? To me, its key differentiating factor lies is the company vision and philosophy.

To quote Mr Martin Ang, they will never sell a product that they themselves would not eat. I have always believed that integrity is of utmost importance in business, even more so for consumer businesses. This succinct statement from Mr Ang really drove home the point that Perfect Food Manufacturing conducts their business with conscience in order to benefit everyone. And for that, I am truly impressed.

In a bid to contribute back to society, Julie’s Biscuits also started “The Best of You” movement. This movement strives to inspire everyone to take a break from our hectic schedules to reflect on our lives and take stock of our accomplishments.

The term accomplishments here refer to the seemingly small and often unnoticed gestures or everyday actions that reflect the best of you. These accomplishments, no matter how small they may be, are worth celebrating.

Who is the best of you?

I think everyone in my life is the best of me. I am very heartened that my husband, family, friends, boss and colleagues have always been supportive and understanding towards me and the decisions that I make. While we may have our differences, the love, trust and camaraderie that we share is something very special and irreplaceable. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life.

Every single one of you is the best of me.

After the heartwarming sharing session, it was time for us to head to the factory for some action. Don’t we all look like surgeons?

It was my first time in a biscuit factory and the experience was truly eye-opening. We could literally feel the heat from the baking process.

Cutting

Baking

Oil Spraying

Cooling

Packaging

Quality Control

At the end of the tour, we were rewarded with piping hot peanut butter biscuits fresh from the oven. You could feel the warmth of the biscuits and smell the heavenly aroma of the peanut butter through the packaging. I immediately tore open the packet and savoured the most delicious peanut butter biscuits I’ve ever had in my life.

Thank you once again to Perfect Food Manufacturing and Julie’s Biscuits for their warmth and hospitality!

Givenchy Bambi Clutch

Hermes Kelly Dog

Topshop Pants

Charles & Keith Shoes

Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses

For more information on Julie’s Biscuits, do check out their website and Facebook Page.

Uncategorized

Singapore Blog Awards 2014: Best Fashion Blog Winner

August 20, 2014 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

I attended the Singapore Blog Awards 2014 Ceremony at Scape last Saturday as a nominee for the Best Fashion Blog category and to my utter amazement, I won! I really wasn’t expecting to win this year as time wasn’t on my side and I was too preoccupied with several ongoing commitments to rally for votes, so this truly came as a surprise. A very pleasant surprise too, if I may add. To say that it was surreal would be a huge understatement.

Words alone can’t express how grateful I am to everyone for your continued support towards this humble space of mine, especially those of you who voted for me everyday. You know who you are.

I would also like to thank my hubby, JW, for taking all my OOTD photographs. He may be behind the scenes most of the time, but he has always played a critical role in the development of my blog, be it in terms of photography or even just providing a sounding board for new ideas, so in many ways, this award belongs to him too! Given that fitness is increasingly becoming an integral part of my life (in addition to fashion), JW, who is a fitness enthusiast and rockclimbing addict, will also be assuming a more active role on my blog by providing fitness tips on a regular basis. Do keep your eyes peeled for more updates from him!

It was an honour to receive the award from Ms Sim Ann, Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Communications and Information, who also happens to be my ex-classmate. We both took a translation and interpretation course many years back and it has been some time since we last met. Fate works in mysterious ways, and it was wonderful to be able to catch up with her. Coincidentally, we were both in feminine lace outfits too.

The night before the awards ceremony, my blogger friend, Grace, who is fond of interviewing people from all walks of life, threw me a question.

If you know you did better than the winner, but yet you were not chosen as the winner, how do you deal with the outcome? How do you deal with failure?

Perhaps I could start off with my definition of success. Happiness is my definition of success in life. I enjoy writing and my blog is purely borne out of a desire to share my passion for fashion, beauty and travel. Writing, styling and photography form the root of my happiness as they allow my creative juices to flow and make me feel alive.

It is absolutely gratifying to be able to do what I like and to know that there are people out there who read my blog and appreciate what I do. At the end of the day, the outcome of the competition does not affect my happiness level, although I cannot deny that being recognized for my efforts is definitely a bonus, and for that, I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.

Many thanks to my dear friend Rafidah who gamely joined me for the awards ceremony too. I was very touched by her spontaneity as most of my friends (and even JW) prefer not to attend events.

It was a great opportunity for us to catch up as well given that she had just returned from a stint in Dubai. It is always a pleasure to have Rafidah around. Her positive energy is so infectious and she is always very encouraging.

Rafidah & I

There weren’t many familiar faces (to me at least) at this year’s awards, hence it was pretty comforting to see Smith, who was aptly dressed as a fluffy unicorn, in accordance to the derby/horse theme. Needless to say, he completely stole the limelight at the event. Congrats to him too for winning Best Lifestyle Blog!

That’s my bag, by the way. 😉 Wasn’t it a perfect match for his outfit?

Smith & I

I also made some new friends that day, one of whom was Shirley(first runner-up, Best Cooking Blog) who makes bento sets that look so jaw droppingly beautiful, they are literally works of art. You really have to check out her work on her blog. She is amazing! We have been chatting on instagram for a while and I was so glad I finally got to meet her in person!

Shirley and I

I had a lunch gathering with my university mates after the ceremony and the lovely girls told me that I was mentioned in the news. If you are interested to find out more, here are two media articles for your reference. I have included the links as well, so all you have to do is click on the images below:

http://news.omy.sg/News/Local-News/story20140817-285704

http://news.omy.sg/News/Local-News/story20140816-285675#photo

Thank you once again! More pictures of my outfit will be up this Friday!

Uncategorized

Fashion Fridays: Mitju Tick Tack Shoes

August 8, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

In today’s edition of Fashion Fridays, I will be showcasing Mitju’s Tick Tack Shoes series which was recently launched in end July. As I was unable to attend the event organized by The Influencer Network, William very kindly met up with me on a separate occasion so I could pick out a pair. Thank you for the sweet gesture!

Mitju’s Tick Tack Shoes collection is a new range of ladies footwear centered around 3 basic shoe fabrics (patent, suede and leatherette), complemented by a selection of over 60 shoe accessories. The aim of Tick Tack Shoes is to empower anyone, young or old, to assemble and customize your bespoke footwear based on your individual style and personality. The idea of
mixing and matching shoe accessories to recreate different looks has
certainly taken shoe-shopping to a whole new level.

All you have to do is to first select the shoe fabric of your choice, and then select from a range of fancy, feminine accessories to go with your shoes. The basic shoes without accessories are affordably priced at S$26.90 while the accessories are priced between S$6.90 -S$14.90.

I chose a pair of yellow patent pumps with two sets of accessories, namely 1) red plastic bows and 2) white floral motifs.

Thanks to the two sets of accessories, I can now have two different pairs of shoes to go with different outfits for various occasions. The red bows give the yellow pumps a cute, retro vibe while the white floral motifs lend a touch of femininity and an air of elegance.

Ballet flats have become my footwear of choice due to my recent back problems, and Mitju’s Tick Tack shoes are the perfect addition to my shoe collection. And now, instead of going out to buy yet another pair of shoes to match my new outfit, I can just head over to Mitju to purchase new accessories for my shoes for a quick makeover.

To give you some ideas about how you could match these beautiful shoes with your wardrobe, here are two of my OOTD posts with Mitju’s Tick Tack shoes.

My first outfit is a vintage-inspired red and white ensemble that’s perfect for the upcoming National Day festivities. I love how my yellow pumps with white floral motifs add a pop of colour to the girly look.

Dress from Liz Lisa (Japan)

Bag from Kate spade

The second outfit has a sporty chic vibe with retro elements. Instead of pairing it with sneakers as I usually would, the yellow pumps with plastic red bows did a great job too.

Top and Skirt from Ching

Popcorn Bag from Young Hungry Free

Mitju’s Tick Tack Shoes are currently available at Mitju ION Orchard and Plaza Singapura.

You can also purchase them online at Mitju’s Official Website later this month.

Happy shopping and have an enjoyable long weekend ahead!

Uncategorized

Fashion & Beauty: Chacott & Freed of London

June 25, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Chacott and Freed of London, two of the most highly regarded labels in the ballet world, have set up their first South East Asian flagship store in Mandarin Gallery. This is the first store in Asia, outside of Chacott’s home country, Japan.

Some of the world’s best handcrafted pointe shoes are produced by these two labels, making them the go-to brands for professional ballet needs.These brands are also represented by renowned Dance Ambassasdors and ballet dance troupes from Japan, Switzerland, USA and even Singapore’s very own Singapore Dance Theatre.

Chacott and Freed of London have also garnered a loyal celebrity following over the years, including Margot Fonteyn, Vladimir Malakhov, Sylvie Guillem, Nina Ananiashvili, Darcey Bussell, Wendy Whelan, Natalie Portman (lead actress of Blockbuster movie, Black Swan), Suri Cruise, the late Amy Winehouse, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Most recently, Chacott has expanded its product range and expertise to include fashion-forward, premium yoga wear in the Chacott Jazz Dance & Yoga Line, which I personally am very interested in. If you follow me on instagram (@reginachow_sg), you may have noticed that yoga is now an integral part of my life and I would definitely love to have the opportunity to try out Chacott’s yoga wear.

I have yet to share about my exercise routine or love for yoga on my blog, but if you are interested, I frequent Updog Studio at Grandstand for my weekly dose of hot yoga. Even as vast amounts of energy are expended during each hot yoga session, leaving me exhausted and spent, there’s something liberating yet stimulating about yoga that makes it so addictive. Words alone can’t express my fascination, hence I have been urging my friends to give it a try to find out for themselves.

Sorry for the slight digression. Now, let’s get back to Chacott, shall we?

Did you know that Chacott also has a wide range of make-up, under the Chacott for Professionals brand name? Originally created for the needs of the ballet stage, Chacott for Professionals has since gained popularity among stage performers, celebrities and professional make-up artists.

Made in Japan, the Chacott for Professionals makeup range is quality assured. The products are formulated for professional use and are resistant to sweat and liquids, which is perfect for Singapore’s humid weather.

You’ll also be happy to know that it is suited for HDTV and contains UV protection (non-chemical SPF/PA). It uses vegetable extract, natural colorants and is also fragrance-free, colour-free and mineral oil-free, which makes the entire range gentle to the skin and suitable even for children.

How does this range of make-up fare? I attended a make-up demonstration by Chacott at Rosebullet recently, which I will share in a separate post soon, so do stay tuned to this space for more updates.

Beauty Direct is the appointed official distributor and local representative for Chacott (ballet, rhythmic gymnastics, ballroom dance, jazz dance & yoga) and Chacott For Professionals.

Chacott For Professionals is presently available at Chacott Freed of London, SG,Plaza@Cosme 100AM, John Little Plaza Singapura.

Uncategorized

Fashion Fridays: Audi Star Creation 2014

June 20, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

I will be sharing some of my favourite designs from Audi Star Creation 2014 in today’s edition of Fashion Fridays. If you are interested in my outfit of the day (OOTD) for the runway showdown, do refer to my previous post here.

The theme for this year’s regional design competition was “The Asian Perspective”, and I had a fabulous time watching the runway showdown and taking a guess at each designer’s inspirations as towering models strutted down the stage in their beautiful designs.

One of my favourite pieces is this cut-out shirt designed by Hye Ra Rhee of Korea. She wasn’t one of the winners, but her feminine designs inspired by the beauty and resilience of nature’s flora definitely won my heart.

Here’s another cut-out design that I absolutely adore. I especially liked how she sprinkled the cut-out floral motifs all over to add dimension and interest to an otherwise minimalist style.

These effortlessly stylish pieces designed by Rebecca Corrine Lam, who was one of the 3 winners that evening, were some of the other designs that caught my attention. Rebecca’s designs, while reminiscent of traditional paper cutting which is closely linked to Asian culture, have a modern contemporary vibe and a touch of edginess, making them extremely wearable. In fact, I can see myself wearing every design in this collection.

Vietnamese designer Tu Nguyen Hoang’s designs were very fascinating as well. Hoang pushed the boundaries by marrying 3D technology with meticulous craftsmanship, taking fashion design to a whole new level. He may not have been a winner at the competition, but his innovative and futuristic designs were certainly well-received by the audience.

That about sums up my favourite designs at this year’s Audi Star Creation. Which of these designs do you like best?

Meanwhile, have a great weekend ahead!

Uncategorized

Fashion Fridays: Audi Star Creation OOTD

May 16, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

In today’s edition of Fashion Fridays, I will be sharing with you my outfit of the day (OOTD) for Audi Star Creation, which just took place on Monday. My pick for that evening was a laser cutout dress in electric blue, complete with matching cutout shoes.

I am drawn to laser cutout designs, especially when the cutouts are juxtaposed against bold colours as they add interest and dimension to an ensemble.

I had a most enjoyable evening, which left me in awe of the inspirational designs created by the 12 finalists. Before the show even began, the air was already bustling with positive energy and it was amazing just to watch Singapore’s sharpest fashionistas walk by. This is perhaps real-life satorial splendour at its best. If you are interested, I will be sharing more on that and the runway show in a separate post soon.

I wish I had time to attend the rest of the fashion shows at Audi Fashion Festival this year. The excitement and exhilaration of seeing new collections is so addictive, I wish the show would never end.