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Fashion, Uncategorized

Fashion Fridays: Going Whimsical

May 1, 2015 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

Clean, minimalist silhouettes are slowly taking over my wardrobe these days, but there are times when I crave for a more whimsical touch. Splashes of prints and bold colours, bags in unexpected shapes, shoes with wings…you get the drift. Challenging the status quo and what is considered the norm embodies the true essence of the whimsical style. It is all about breaking the rules and I love how it allows your imagination to take flight and venture far into the unknown.

A combination of quirky prints and whimsical elements never fails to create a statement and this makes it a style that is almost impossible to replicate. It is an expression of your individuality and I guess that is one of the reasons why I am inexplicably drawn to this style.

Today’s outfit features a swan print dress from Ching with a detachable swan collar no less, paired with a Kate Spade Apple Bag (one of my perennial favourites) and my adorable gladiator heels from Sophia Webster. You may find this outfit familiar if you follow me on instagram (@reginachow_sg) as I wore this ensemble to the recent Fashion Steps Out 2015 event.

If you think the whimsy style is a little too much for you, you can always go for a more monochromatic palette. In this case, black and white take center stage while red accents punctuate the outfit and inject a dash of fun. Alternatively, go slow and perhaps begin by adding a kitschy statement bag to your wardrobe for a start. It is bound to be a conversation starter and I can assure you there’s no turning back!

Dress from Ching (Far East Plaza)

Shoes from Sophia Webster

Bag from Kate Spade

Cuff from Hermes

What’s your take on the whimsical style? Do you like it as much as I do?

As always, thank you so much for reading and have a wonderful long weekend!

Fashion, Uncategorized

Fashion: Maxi Cardigans by Freja Designs

April 26, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

Have you read my previous post on Layering with Ponchos by Freja Designs? Today’s post is rather similar, except that this time, I will be sharing how layering is made possible with a maxi cardigan.

Yet another functional piece from Swedish label Freja Designs, the maxi cardigan is perfect for layering over tank tops or camisoles. Again, this piece is made of 100% Rayon and is extremely lightweight.

Nonetheless, don’t be deceived by its sheer appearance. I threw it on on a rainy day and was surprised to discover that this featherlight number kept me relatively warm throughout the thunderstorm even when I was indoors with the air-conditioning at full blast.

Maxi Cardigan & earrings c/o Freja Designs // Jeans from Frame Denim // Top and Sneakers from Korea

I have to admit the asymmetrical cascading sleeves first caught my eye but on the whole, I find its dark yet sensual design very attractive as it embraces femininity with an ample dose of edginess.

For this particular look, I paired it with my trusty Frame Denim ripped jeans to amp up the rocker chic vibe. I would have gone for heels but sensibility got the better of me, hence sneakers were the choice of footwear for a day of errands.

Aside from outerwear and scarves, Freja Designs also offer an exclusive collection of timeless jewellery that will never go out of style.

It was tough deciding on what to pick but I eventually chose a pair of stainless steel hoop earrings with black zirconia. Its understated glamour and versatility resonates with me and in addition to wearing this on casual weekends, I can definitely foresee that they’ll be out with me on weekdays to the office or even for more formal occasions.

Freja Designs

Website:

http://www.frejadesigns.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/frejadesigns

Instagram:

@frejadesigns

Beauty, Uncategorized

Crème Simon Micellar Water Makeup Remover Review

April 13, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

Crème Simon is a French skincare brand that uses over 90% natural ingredients, and natural skincare brands always get me all excited, especially if the products are free of parabens, alcohol, silicones, sulphates and colouring.

Crème Simon was founded in 1860 by Joseph Simon, a talented young apothecary. He was searching for a remedy to relieve dry chapped hands that laundresses were so prone to, which eventually led to his discovery of a cream power packed with seven types of flowers and plants with incredible healing properties. This concoction is also known as the Activ-Fleur Complex, an essential ingredient in all Crème Simon products till today.

Did you know that at the height of its popularity, Crème Simon was the most coveted beauty treatment in its era and sold out in Paris, New York and Asia? Pretty impressive, if you ask me.

Today, Crème Simon promises a range of sheer, lightweight skincare formulas for the contemporary woman. The brand believes that our skin is defined by our environment, hence their products are duly customized to our climate. Personally, I stand by this very same belief as well, and as a matter of fact, I always change up my skincare routine whenever I’m overseas. For instance, I prefer gel moisturizers when I’m in Singapore but I’ll slather on richer cream moisturizers in Australia where the climate is colder and drier.

Similarly, I generally prefer cream-based or oil-based makeup removers in colder climates, but in Singapore, micellar water makeup removers are my favourite.

Crème Simon’s Micellar Water Makeup Remover is a water-based, no-rinse makeup remover that gently and thoroughly removes all impurities and makeup, including waterproof makeup.

It combines the coolness of water with the cleansing properties of oil micelles to effectively trap impurities and make-up. As it is infused with rose, iris and jasmine extracts to boost toxin elimination and promote clear, luminous skin, it comes with a pleasant floral scent that lifts my mood every time I use it.

Its lightweight consistency leaves your skin feeling clean, smooth and hydrated without any oily or sticky after-feel. You could probably get away without double cleansing if you don’t apply much make-up on a daily basis. Otherwise, I would still recommend following up with a facial cleanser thereafter.

Unlike most micellar make-up removers, Crème Simon’s version is able to remove eye make-up (including water-proof eyeliners) effortlessly. In fact, I use this a one-step makeup remover for both my face and eyes.

I use my trusty MAC PowerPoint eyeliner everyday and based on my experience thus far, micellar makeup removers generally do not do a good job of removing it thoroughly. With Crème Simon’s micellar water makeup remover however, all you have to do is soak a cotton pad with the product, press it down lightly on your skin and hold for a few seconds before gently swiping your makeup away.

Most importantly, no rubbing is
required at all, which makes it perfect for eye make-up removal as you
wouldn’t want to run the risk of getting wrinkles due to excessive rubbing.

Did you know that this makeup remover is fortified with Wheat Oligosaccharides Complex which supposedly reduces pigmentation as well? I’ve been grappling with pigmentation issues for eons and would love to see what this product can do in the longer term.

While I have yet to witness its brightening effects given that I have just started using it, I would highly recommend this product if you’re looking for a lightweight makeup remover that provides heavy duty action with a heavenly scent to boot.

It may have taken me a while to finally get acquainted with Crème Simon’s products as I was away during their launch last year, but nonetheless, it is always better late than never. After trying their Micellar Water Makeup Remover for a couple of weeks, I am now officially hooked.

The lovely ladies at Crème Simon subsequently surprised me with more products recently, so if you’re interested, do keep your eyes peeled as I will certainly share my review with you in due course.

Uncategorized

Fashion Fridays: Blooming Bougainvillea in Singapore

April 10, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

A glance at the numerous photos on Instagram is all it takes for us to know that it is currently the Sakura season in Japan. The breathtaking scenery makes me wish I had planned a trip to Tokyo this year. Oh well, there’s always next year.

A few weeks ago however, one of my girlfriends alerted me to these gorgeous pink bougainvillea trees in Toa Payoh central. I saw her photos on Facebook and wow, they definitely look like the next best thing to Sakura. Curiosity got the better of me and I had to go down to take a look.

To say that I was completely blown away by the sight would be an understatement. I basked in the glorious beauty of mother nature and wondered at the same time why there was hardly anyone around to take in the magnificent view. There were only a handful of domestic helpers enjoying a mini picnic of sorts as they marveled at the beautiful trees and proceeded to snap away on their cameras.

Indeed, photography is the beauty of life captured and photos speak a thousand words.

As you can tell, I was completely besotted. The pictures would have been even more perfect if we had green pastures in place of the tiled flooring.

My outfit for the day was a casual eyelet top and skirt set from Japanese label Liz Lisa, which was purchased last June during my trip to Hokkaido. Before this, it was hiding in the depths of my wardrobe waiting to be discovered. My wardrobe is bursting but I always feel that I have nothing to wear and it doesn’t help that I tend to forget what I have in there. Isn’t this a perennial problem that most of us ladies (and some gentlemen) face?

The Liz Lisa brand is femininity personified. Frills, floral prints, bows and lace are what you can expect in almost every collection.

I find this preppy set very wearable as it exudes tenderness without being too girly. To up the preppy factor, I paired it with a whimsical Alice in Wonderland book clutch in the same colour palette. You can also mix and match the top and bottom separately to create different looks for the weekend.

Top and Skirt set from Liz Lisa

Heels from Pazzion

I hope you enjoyed today’s edition of Fashion Fridays! Have a great weekend ahead!

Uncategorized

Fashion Fridays: Of Pink Highlights and Goodbyes

April 3, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

While I generally favour neutral colours and monochromatic tones, there are times when I shake up my wardrobe by injecting a splash of colours and bold prints. The same principle applies to my hair colour. I’ve never steered away from shades of ash, brown and blonde, but every now and then, I’ll take the plunge and go for colourful highlights. I had purple highlights about a year ago but this time, pink beckoned.

My hairstylist, Michelle Soh, from Jeric Salon at Bugis, gave me vibrant pink highlights without bleaching and as I am typing this post about 2 weeks on, my highlights are not showing any signs of fading. What I love about Jeric Salon is that only Aveda products and hair dyes are used. Unlike most brands, Aveda uses naturally-derived ingredients to ensure that your hair and scalp are well taken care of. With Aveda, I can now achieve beautiful colours without exposing my scalp to harsh chemicals and bleach. Killing two birds with one stone has never been easier!

I love my pink highlights so much that I decided to dedicate today’s edition of Fashion Fridays to an all pink ensemble that spells fun without compromising on femininity. I usually find midi skirts a little too formal for the weekend, but the whimsical prints on this 2-piece set takes the fun factor up a notch and makes it a great weekend outfit.

I wore this eye-catching set out to run some errands before meeting up with my family and visiting my grandmother at her home in Tanjong Pagar. As age catches up on me, my priorities change and I see myself seizing every opportunity to spend time with my family and close friends.

On a more personal note, the month of April also marks the death anniversary of a close friend whom I lost to an accident many years ago. Goodbyes are never easy, but saying goodbye is not the hardest part of losing someone. Having to continue living your life without them is always the hardest. That feeling of emptiness, that very void that is impossible to fill.

Unfortunately, losing our loved ones is part and parcel of life, and something that we have absolutely no control over. Cherish every
moment and treasure every person that you love,
because you’ll never know when they’ll take their last breaths.

If you haven’t made any plans this long weekend, perhaps you’ll like to make some time for your family and loved ones?

2 piece set from Smooch The Label

Bag from Valentino

Hair by Michelle Soh of Jeric Salon (Bugis)

Uncategorized

Fashion Fridays: Maxi Dresses for Work

February 27, 2015 by Regina Chow 3 Comments

It’s tough to find middle ground when it comes to maxi dresses. They tend to fall into either end of a spectrum, either too casual or too formal.

I have to thank my lucky stars and also Sushi for taking the plunge and placing an order for this lace maxi dress from our supplier because “the one” that I’ve been looking for finally came along. Its shirt dress structure exudes a no-nonsense vibe while the delicate lace material lends a touch of feminine charm. Finally, a maxi dress that I can wear to work without looking underdressed or overdressed.

While it is easy to take a dress like this to work, I would suggest you reserve this either for Casual Fridays or evening functions if your office has a very strict dress code. You can choose to dress up the dress with a pair of heels or slip into a comfy pair of wedges to dress it down.

Generally speaking, with a statement dress like this, there’s hardly any need for accessorizing. But if you really want to, you could cinch your waist with a skinny belt and put on some stud earrings. I picked out a pearl belt from my mum’s wardrobe to accentuate the silhouette and bring out the vintage appeal.

Bag from Hermes

Cuff from Hermes

Shoes from Pazzion

Belt from my mum’s wardrobe

I hope you enjoyed reading this week’s edition of Fashion Fridays. Have a great weekend ahead!

*****

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Uncategorized

Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+

February 26, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

The Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+ is proof that good things come in small packages. Visually, it stands out from the sea of smartphones with its slim, sleek and stunning exterior. The luxurious shade of Frosted Gold exudes style and sophistication, making it the perfect fashion accessory for style mavens.

Practically speaking, it is
incredibly light, handy, and is so slim that it fits into the tiniest
clutches. At just 6.7mm, The GALAXY ALPHA 4G+ may be Samsung’s slimmest and
most stylish phone to date, but it also packs a punch thanks to its Octa Core Processor and 4G+ LTE
Cat 6 capability. Now, I can surf the internet and stream my favourite
dramas at a much faster speed without compromising on the chic factor.

Its Ultra Power Saving Mode is very useful too as I am able to extend my remaining 10% battery life by up to 10 hours’ worth of standby time. As a result, I no longer have to carry a portable charger around with me on a daily basis. Additional features include fingerprint security,
which gives you the convenience of signing into websites such as Gmail
and Zalora as well as paying for your purchases using Paypal with the
swipe of a finger. I enjoy online shopping and this feature makes my
shopping experience absolutely fuss-free.

In my opinion, the key highlight of the Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+ is its built-in 12MP Advanced Camera which comes with Fast Auto Focus to capture action shots, Selective Focus for shallow depth-of-field (i.e. sharp subject and blurred background) and Real Time HDR to preserve the light and colours to achieve life-like photos. If you enjoy taking photos, you will definitely love this phone.

Here are some unedited photos that I took with the Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+. I was truly impressed by the photo quality as it certainly rivals that of my DSLR camera.

Selective Focus (Sharp Foreground, Blurred Background)

Selective Focus (Blurred Foreground, Sharp Background)

Selective Focus (Sharp Foreground, Blurred Background)

Pretty amazing, isn’t it? Perhaps it is about time for my bulky DSLR camera to take a backseat now.

The Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+ is currently retailing at S$848 at all Samsung Experience Stores. Other than Frosted Gold, it also comes in Dazzling White and Charcoal Black.

For more information on the Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+, click here .

Uncategorized

Fashion: Valentino on Valentine's Day (OOTD)

February 15, 2015 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

Time flies. It seems like only yesterday when we got together but in the blink of an eye, 15 years has passed. Yesterday marked our 15th Valentine’s Day celebration together and while we no longer celebrate it with a big bang complete with a lavish dinner spread and overpriced flower bouquets, JW still makes it a point to surprise me with a restaurant reservation.

We had a private and cozy lunch by the Singapore River at Absinthe. Absinthe may be a French restaurant, but I really like how they did away with the frills and formality of typical french dining, choosing to adopt a more casual and fuss-free approach instead. After our sumptuous lunch, we took a stroll along the river, which eventually took us to Victoria Concert Hall.

Victoria Concert Hall holds many fond childhood memories for me as my mum and I used to bond over SSO concerts held here. It was practically a weekly affair for the two of us as I was taking piano lessons then and was really into classical music.

The Victoria Concert Hall of today looks different from what I remembered it to be, but still, I couldn’t help but marvel at this slice of history. Many of the colonial elements remained untouched but modern touches were added to lend a contemporary air to the newly refurbished architecture.

I couldn’t resist the wonderful photo opportunity and here’s presenting my outfit for Valentine’s Day.

“Who needs a Valentine when you have Valentino?” I came across this witty quip on Valentino’s instagram account and couldn’t help but let out a chuckle because I happened to be clad in Valentino from head to toe yesterday.

I guess I’m greedy and also the perfect example of someone who wants to have her cake and eat it because I need both my Valentino and my Valentine.

Dress from Red Valentino

Rockstud Pumps from Valentino

Swarovski Earrings from Korea

How was your Valentine’s Day? Here’s wishing you and your other half a lifetime of bliss, happiness and love!

Uncategorized

Chinese New Year Shopping at Wisma Atria

February 12, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

Are you all set to celebrate Chinese New Year? It’s barely a week away so if you’ve yet to get your CNY shopping done, it’s time to pull up your socks! To give you some inspiration, I’ll be featuring a couple of CNY-ready outfits from Wisma Atria to help you along.

I love Chinese New Year as it is a tradition to dress up in our new clothes, get a new hairdo and give ourselves a mini makeover to ring in the new year with a bang. What this means is that we have every reason to indulge in a little retail therapy! I’m sure you would agree that comfort is key when it comes to selecting an outfit for Chinese New Year visitations, which makes jeans a popular option for many of us. Instead of going with the flow, I personally prefer to stand out from the crowd with a casual chic romper.

Whole9yards

Make a statement with this gorgeous muted pink romper from Whole9yards. I especially adore the 3d flower appliques that resemble cherry blossoms which are bound to be a conversation-starter.

Paired with these pointed nude
lambskin flats from Pretty Fit and a bright red leather bag from Plinio
Visona, this ensemble will take you through the day in style without
compromising on comfort. Let the romper shine by keeping accessories to a minimum with a geometric cuff and dainty mid finger rings in festive shades of gold.

Lambskin Flats from Pretty Fit

Leather bag from Plinio Visona // Rings from colette by colette hayman

Applique Lady-man Romper from Whole9yards // Cuff from colette by colette hayman

If you prefer something a little more oriental, slip into a Cheongsam inspired dress that fuses oriental elements with a contemporary flair. This beautiful mint dress with intricate lace cut-outs from Whole9yards caught my eye the moment I stepped into their store at Wisma Atria.

The flared A-line cutting reminiscent of the 1950s exudes a vintage vibe while the scallop lace detailing adds to its oriental charm and girlish appeal. This, in my opinion, is the perfect dress for Chinese New Year.

Gardenia Bloom Dress by Whole9yards

Earrings from colette by colette hayman

Pumps from Pretty Fit

What I love most about this feminine number is its versatility. You can easily dress it up with diamonte earrings, gold pumps and a tote bag to make it work-appropriate. For Chinese New Year gatherings, all you have to do is to swap your work tote for a whimsical clutch like this beauty from Plinio Visona and you’re all ready to go!

Leather Clutch from Plinio Visona

Do you have Chinese New Year parties or work functions to attend? This is perhaps the only time of the year when we cast aside our little black dresses and start rocking bold prints and vibrant colours to add to the festive atmosphere.

Turn heads and be the centre of
attention with this satin maxi dress from Future State. I absolutely adore the baroque prints and floral motifs in cheerful
shades of pink, orange and yellow. Bold yet elegant, a dress like this is hard to come by and would be an excellent choice for both formal events during the Chinese New Year period and that romantic Valentine’s Day dinner you’ve been eagerly anticipating.

The best part about such dresses is that you don’t have to accessorize. A pair of dangling earrings and statement heels are all you need to amp up the glam factor.

Earrings from colette by colette hayman

Heels from Pedro

Thanks for reading! I hope today’s post has given you more outfit ideas and inspirations to dress up for Chinese New Year.

If you need to do some last minute shopping, remember to get your dose of retail therapy at Wisma Atria to welcome the new year in style!

You can also like their Facebook page here to receive updates on the latest promotions at Wisma Atria.

Wisma Atria Shopping Mall

Address
435 Orchard Road
Singapore 238877

Contact No.
6235 2103

Website
http://www.wismaonline.com/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/wismaatria

**Thank you Digital Influenza for the collaboration!**

Uncategorized

Paragliding in New Zealand (Queenstown)

November 11, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Paragliding in Queenstown, New Zealand

I was just opining on instagram that I ought to give my travel photos more limelight on my blog, so today, I decided that it’s about time I gave some air time to my New Zealand holiday, which took place way back in December 2012.

If you are interested, you could also read about Lake Tekapo, my first stop in New Zealand in the following posts:

New Zealand 2012: Lake Tekapo Part 1

New Zealand 2012: Lake Tekapo Part 2

Paragliding was one of the activities that I did in Queenstown. It took me a while to take the plunge, quite literally, because I have always been relatively risk averse.

But I am glad I did it eventually, because New Zealand, especially Queenstown, is probably one of the best places to do this. The adventure companies here are very experienced, the scenery is amazing and the atmosphere just feels right. I mean, everyone does adventure activities here!

All geared up!

After extensive online research, I signed up with Skytrek, which has flown over 60,000 customers since 1992. The co-owner is also the most experienced paragliding instructor in New Zealand. That really put my mind at ease.

Skytrek instructor

I signed up for the paragliding session in the afternoon and was surprised to see that there was nobody else but me.

Amidst all the excitement, it was a little nerve-wrecking as I got all suited up for the experience.

All ready to go!

I was told to run down a slope, but after just a few steps, I miraculously floated off the ground and drifted into the sky.

It was a beautiful day.The picturesque view of Queenstown was a welcome distraction as it immediately cast my fears away. I marveled at the sprawling pastures against the backdrop of majestic mountains surrounded by meandering rivers, while furry blankets of clouds dotted the bright blue sky.

Amazing view of Queenstown

The ride was very smooth and comfortable, to the extent that I almost forgot about being so high up in the sky with the blinding sun and strong winds battering down on my face. Well, that was until my instructor decided to throw me off-guard with a few acrobatic twists and spirals, with his GoPro camera in tow.

As the ride got a little more exhilarating, I shrieked a little and my eyes shut tight whenever I felt the G-force as we continued spiraling downwards.

The funny thing
about me is that I get really hungry when there is too much motion, and
by the end of my 25-minute ride, I was feeling weak and famished!

“How was it?”, my instructor asked upon landing.

“I am very hungry now!!”, came my reply.

I think he was more amused than anything else. After a hearty laugh and an exchange of goodbyes, I made a dash to the nearest cafe across the field and ordered myself a warm bowl of soup.

Landed and hopelessly famished!

Thank you Skytrek for the fab experience!

Discovering new lands and experiences never fails to give me a deep sense of satisfaction. This time, my virgin paragliding experience awakened my sense of adventure, an element that has been lying dormant deep inside me for what seems like an eternity.

And so, would I do it again? Yes, I would, in a heartbeat.

Page 2 of 4«123 4 »

Fashion Fridays: Going Whimsical

Fashion: Maxi Cardigans by Freja Designs

Crème Simon Micellar Water Makeup Remover Review

Fashion Fridays: Blooming Bougainvillea in Singapore

Fashion Fridays: Of Pink Highlights and Goodbyes

Fashion Fridays: Maxi Dresses for Work

Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+

Fashion: Valentino on Valentine's Day (OOTD)

Chinese New Year Shopping at Wisma Atria

Paragliding in New Zealand (Queenstown)

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