Sorry for the
lack of updates on my blog! I have just returned from a week-long Bali
vacation and all I did was to celebrate mother nature by basking in the
sights, sounds and smells of nature. Sometimes, taking a
break from our daily grind and relishing in the beauty of doing nothing helps to
refocus our energies and rejuvenate our souls. That was precisely what JW and I did and we both
felt absolutely refreshed and ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead (Ok to be honest, I’m actually still suffering from Bali withdrawal symptoms :P). 

I am still in the midst of sorting out my
Bali photos, but here are some pictures from my instagram account ( follow me at @reginachow_sg) to whet your appetite. 🙂

Good morning! Waiting to board the flight to #bali for my idyllic #beach #holiday! Wearing my #hermes #maxitwilly to keep myself warm on the plane!😊

 

Taps Designer Handbags is a one-stop shop that showcases the latest designer bags and accessories fresh off the runway, ranging from dazzling clutches, luxury totes to trendy accessories in a wide array of styles and brands. Adding the finishing touch to any outfit has never been easier!    

Located in the heart of town at Far East Plaza,  Taps Designer Handbags is a reseller that you can trust as it obtains its products directly from Europe and US. Authenticity is guaranteed and prices are typically between 20% – 50% below retail prices!

The retail store is excellent for shoppers to try on the latest designs before making a purchase, but what I love most about Taps is that I can enjoy the
convenience of being able to shop in the comfort of my home through
their online portal as well!

I was invited to their Far East Plaza shopfront recently and I was amazed by the myriad of designer brands that it stocks under one roof. This is a dream come true for every handbag aficionado! Can’t decide what goes best with your wardrobe? Just try on any bag that catches your eye and take your pick! 

 While Taps specializes in mainly Saint Laurent, Celine and Prada, you can also find a good selection of other designer brands including Givenchy, Mulberry, Proenza Schouler, Givenchy, Fendi, Dior and even Hermès. All the bags on display are brand new and unused, except for the Hermès Kelly and Birkin bags.

Many designer shops in Singapore have limited stock for popular designs which are highly sought after. For instance, Hermès accessories are so hot these days, they literally fly off the shelves the minute they hit the stores locally. For many of us, disappointment is inevitable because thanks to our fast paced society, we simply do not have the time to pop by the shops in time.

 With Taps’ Preorder and Concierge Service, all you have to do is place your orders, then sit back and relax while the little elves at Taps work their magic to make your wishes come true!  Preorders are conducted for brands such as Hermès, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, among others. 

  Check out their Facebook Page here to find out more about the current preorder. You can also contact them directly here to place your orders.  All preorders will arrive in 2 weeks. 

Bags aside, Taps also carries accessories from the various brands including Hermès as well as a small collection of Ferragamo and Kartell shoes.

Now, for the good news! 

Taps will be having a multi-brand clearance sale (up to 65% off!) this weekend, from 11 Oct (Friday) to 13 October (Sunday).    

You can either check out their physical store or head to their website here for more details on the sale items and prices. Local shipping is free and international shipping is at a flat rate of S$20! Definitely sounds like a good deal to me. 🙂

I was given a sneak preview of the products that would be featured in their upcoming sale. To whet your appetite, here are just some of the brands and designs that will be on sale this weekend:

1) Proenza Schouler PS1 Satchel

The Proenza Schouler PS1 Satchel catapulted to cult status almost immediately after its launch and it is certainly not hard to see why. Functional, edgy and effortlessly stylish, this bag is great for both work and play. It also comes in different leathers and colours to match your mood and outfit. 

My pick would be this vibrant yellow version as it adds a striking pop of colour to any outfit.

Just look at how it brightens up my all white outfit instantly! I also love how it lends a touch of edginess to my feminine ensemble.

  

2) Saint Laurent Cabas Y Bag

Saint Laurent’s Cabas Bag is a classic design that never goes out of style. It is also very sturdy and roomy, which makes it the perfect bag to take you from the board room to a holiday destination of your choice. 

The brown and black versions make great wardrobe staples and are extremely popular with celebrities. For me however, I prefer to push the envelope a little and opt for bolder colours such as pink and red.

Don’t you think the red and pink versions add an element of fun to your wardrobe without compromising on style? They are also less common so the chances of you bumping into someone on the streets with the same bag are much lower!

3) Fendi 2Jours

The latest It bag from the house of Fendi, the Fendi 2Jours exudes elegance and sophistication. Its versatile and practical design has captured the hearts of many, including mine. In particular, I like the fact that this bag comes with a detachable shoulder strap as it
gives me the option of carrying it in different ways.

Fendi has reworked this lovely bag in a variety of colours every season, but my favourite has to be this daring shade of orange.

4) Miu Miu Matelasse

The buttery soft leather and handy size are just two reasons why I love the Miu Miu Matelasse bag. The size of the bag fits well on my petite frame and yet it is spacious enough to store everything that I need when I head out. 

The black is a safe bet, but if you are looking to perk up your wardrobe, the yellow version is a wonderful choice!

Are you tempted yet? If you have been thinking of adding any of these bags to your collection, this weekend will be the best time to succumb to temptation, because these items (and more!) will be marked down by up to 65%!

Mark those dates down in your calendar (11-13 Oct!) and head on down to Taps for your dose of guilt-free retail therapy!

Taps Designer Handbags

Address:

14 Scotts Road, Far East Plaza, #03-39, 

Singapore 228213

Opening Hours: 

Mon – Fri: 1230 – 2100 hrs

Sat-Sun: 1300 – 2100 hrs

Tel:

6735 6510

Website:

http://www.taps.com.sg

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/taps.sg

Email: 

taps@live.com

As the name suggests, there is an element of surprise as the items in each mystery bag are selected by ClubCouture. 

All you have to do is to select your size, add a mystery bag to your shopping cart and leave it to ClubCouture to deliver the goodies to your doorstep! 

Vanilla Mood Purity Lace Dress , previously featured in my blog post here.

 Tiffany Strapless Dress, previously featured in my blog post here.

ClubCouture’s Mystery Bags were launched just yesterday, but they’re selling out really fast, so if you haven’t already grabbed yours, be sure to do so now!

Have you ever been to Singapore’s Army Museum or SAFTI
MI? I had a chance to visit both places recently at the invitation of Mindef, who organized an event titled “Think About Our Boys!” for female bloggers to better understand and appreciate what the average Singaporean male has to go through during National Service. It was not easy waking up early in
the morning but it was worth the effort in retrospect.

 

I went along with Karen because we were both curious about the event. Upon arrival at the
Singapore Discovery Centre, we found ourselves strolling along a quiet
lake amidst lush greenery in an idyllic setting. 

 Did I mention that we were both dressed in military themed outfits too? Here’s what I wore:

 Top from Forever21
Shorts (not shown in pics) from Editor’s Market
Shoes from Korea
Bag from Chanel
Kelly Dog from Hermes
Cap from random store in Singapore

 To complement our outfits, the thoughtful organizers made personalized dog tags for each and every one of us.

They also roped in professional manicurists who treated us to military-themed
manicures. 

While I really loved my 1 year stay in Sydney as it has so
much that Singapore doesn’t have, I have also come to realize that Singapore is
where my heart is, because it has formed a part of me – my memories, my
bonds and my beliefs. 

That is why I hope that we can all love Singapore
for who she is, and recognize the sacrifices by our NS boys in our own
little ways. This event reminded me again of the need for national defence to
protect this place where we call home, and to never take peace for granted.

Especially Escada Elixir is a new fragrance in the Especially Escada family. I had the opportunity to try the Especially Escada perfume previously and I loved how it lends a touch of old-world 1920s, Great Gatsby glamour to any occasion. I have been using it regularly, even on my overseas trips, hence you can imagine my delight when Especially Escada Elixir was introduced.

 

 More intense than its predecessor, Especially Escada Elixir features prominent rose notes fused with a unique blend of ingredients, resulting in a sensual, long-lasting scent that is perfect for an enchanting evening.

All it takes to capture that extra touch of mysterious, rosy scent is a little spritz during that magical hour at dusk, just when the day ends, and the evening begins.

 Did you know that 4,000 kg of roses are needed to produce just 1 kilogram of rose oil? Damask roses from Turkey are one of the few roses that can produce rose oil for use in perfumes. These roses create a mysterious and sensual scent, which make them a wonderful base for the Especially Escada Elixir fragrance. The rose notes are further enhanced with ambrette seeds, which give off a woody and musky fragrance similar to Musk. Musk was originally sourced from the Musk Deer, which is now banned. 

To balance the intensity of the base notes, Especially Escada Elixir is infused with oriental elements such as Vanilla and Ylang Ylang from Madagascar, both of which are known to calm nerves and aid relaxation. Finally, for that element of fun and surprise, which to me is what sets the Elixir apart from its counterparts, blood orange (my favourite fruit!) is used to add a clean, crisp and citrus scent to this luxurious fragrance.

Rouse your senses and add a touch of opulence and glamour with this sensual, evocative fragrance, the perfect accessory for your evening escapades!
 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Here are some other pieces that I personally adore:

Rings

Necklaces

Earrings

Bracelets

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

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

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

 

 Now, here’s the good news!

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

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

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

 Grace Lace Overall Dress from OutfitOTD

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Check it out HERE! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

or

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


Map:

 

 

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

2) Horizon Plaza

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

Photo Credits: Discoverhongkong.com

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

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

ii) Bluebell Fashion Warehouse (24th Floor)

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

iii) Maxmara Fashion Group Warehouse (27th Floor)

Look out for Juicy Couture and Stella McCartney goodies!

Address:

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

Directions:

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

Map:

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

Meanwhile, have a great weekend ahead!

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

1) Shopping in Hong Kong

2) Shopping in Hong Kong: Japanese Fashion Labels 

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