Singapore brand Pleatation first caught my eye at Fashion Steps Out@Orchard in 2015. The gorgeous pleats and flowy silhouettes were hard to miss. Timeless, effortlessly chic yet gracefully feminine, what’s there not to love about this homegrown label?

Sounds like the perfect dress for traveling too, isn’t it? I packed this with me for a weekend trip to the city of Nanjing. Temperatures were soaring and I knew this silky number was just what I needed to paint the town red without breaking into a sweat. It worked like a charm and I had an amazing time flying the Singapore flag in a foreign land.

If there is one feature on your face that you could change, what would it be? I am actually pretty contented with what I have but if there is something that I could change, that would be my skin!  I’ve been plagued by pigmentation on my upper cheeks for ages (I conceal it with CC cream so you can’t tell) and most of the aesthetic clinics that I have visited in the past told me that it would be challenging to get rid of it completely.

Dr Ram’s affable and easygoing disposition put me at ease right away. He is a wonderful listener who pays careful attention to what your needs and preferences are instead of simply promoting his products and services. I have met doctors who gave me the “only I know what’s good for you” vibe, but with Dr Ram, you wouldn’t get any of that. He also goes the extra mile to ensure that you are comfortable with his suggestions every step of the way, which is why I knew right from the start that I would be in safe hands.

I did a vintage photo shoot recently with an Old Shanghai theme and I really love how it turned out.

Where? Where else, China of course. If you’re traveling to China and you love having your photos taken, this is an enjoyable and relatively inexpensive activity (if you pick the most basic package) that you can add to your bucket list. Be prepared to draw lots of oohs and ahhs from all your friends and family when they see your photos!

Waiting to elope with my secret lover

Laomendong, Nanjing (China)

If you prefer the full works, you can opt for the most comprehensive package which includes an elaborate vintage hairstyle, make-up and several backdrops and poses. You’ll get to keep an album of photos too. This would set you back by 1680 yuan or about S$350.

The full works

Casio is famous for its selfie functions, beautifully brightening and unblemishing faces in what I describe as a natural automatic photoshop function.

If you see here, the ZR3600 has enhanced the ease of selfies even further by adding a 180 degree flip screen so you can view the screen while taking a photo (and adjust your face and hair accordingly haha).

What’s so convenient too is the button in the front where your forefinger can easily press while holding the camera, a really common gripe of selfie lovers that Casio has wonderfully addressed. What’s more, there’s also the “wave” function where you don’t even need to press a button. Just wave your hand in front of the camera and it’ll automatically take the photo!

The even more awesome news is, this camera doesn’t just take great selfies. It has so many other  amazing functions.

Without further ado, I’ll let the photos during the media trip to Penang do the talking.

Note: All images featured in this post are unedited.

1. Capture Close-up Details without Compromising on Image Quality

There is no need for filters with this camera. All the images come out crystal clear, even when you use the zoom function. Seriously, just look at this.

I zoomed right into the dragon perched on the roof of the temple. All the vibrant colors against the bright blue sky were completely captured.

Look at this magnificent sunrise. The striking orange hues and the gorgeous golden yolk were beautifully captured up close with minimal noise.

This was taken at sunset, when the skies turned into cotton candy shades of pink and purple.

2. Achieve Great Shots with Minimum Time & Effort

 

This was taken in a rush, walking along a street when I saw these flowers randomly growing by a colorful fence. See how well the colours turned out, even when I literally stopped and snapped the photo in 3 seconds!
 

 

And this “Of Parallels and Opposites” photo was another 3 second snap, the words of which poetically came to mind while I was rushing down the same street. Mid-street, in between the houses and the bustle, this space just seemed to call out for a shot.

The camera is also able to capture details well. The famous street murals in Penang are a must-see for many tourists and locals, and here are a few in various sizes and intensity of color: the one similarity? They all turned out beautifully with just a simple click of the camera!

This is one giant cat that spans the width of 10 people!

This is one mini cat that is one human head width.

This was at a non-descript, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it area along the street. It was also shaded by trees so the mural appeared darker and less obvious. However, look at how gorgeously rendered it is as the camera picks out the light and shadows!

Look at the detail of the dragon scales, even in this quick sideways shot!

Here’s one of the great moments when I said hi to a durian seller uncle. He was sitting in his chair as everyone passed him by. I was intrigued by the durians in the boot of the car, and told him so. It was a brief connection of two strangers, with a warmth and heartfelt poignancy as we smiled at each other. Sir, I wish you well!

P.S. Yes the mural behind him says “kah lu kong hokkien” (teach you speak hokkien).

Coincidence?

3. Achieve Bokeh (Blurred Background) Automatically Without Adjustments RequiredI love how the camera automatically blurs the background while retaining sharpness in the foreground, making the subject come alive instantly. There’s no need to fiddle around with the aperture mode to do this (although there is an option for you to do so if you wish). The bokeh effect may not match up to my usual DSLR camera, but for a regular point-and-shoot camera, this is pretty commendable!

Just look at this snake! Did you know that I was also the only female in the group who mustered enough courage to place this snake around my neck? It may sound frightening, but it really wasn’t!

The food images look fantastic too, again bearing in mind that these photos have not been post-edited in any way. I would consider bringing this camera with me for my food tasting sessions in future.

There are many other functions including a selfie art mode, art mode, and even full HD video recording!

I’m sure Casio’s selfie art mode needs no introduction, but here are a couple of selfies that I took with three of my favourite scene selections. You can choose from a total of five scene selections to achieve different moods and effects.

4. Get Flawless Skin with the Selfie Art Mode

~ Beauty shots with “Selfie Art Mode – Elegant” Scene ~

Dreaming of crispy Peking Duck skin that crackles like a thin slice of caramel in your mouth?

Jiang-Nan Chun, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

Fine traditional wood carvings contrast with rough fishermen baskets – a manifestation of Jiang Nan, located south of the Yangtze River

Traditional medical cabinets serve as decorative backdrops

Traditional chopstick holders are incorporated into the exquisite design of the reception counter

What’s special about the Peking duck?

Caviar aside, here’s essentially what differentiates the roast duck here from its counterparts.

Fresh
ducks undergo special preparation methods for 14 hours before they are
roasted in a mesquite wood oven, which not only imparts succulence to
the meat, but also ensures that the fat beneath the glossy crispy skin
is greatly reduced.

I
was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Peking duck when it was
swiftly wheeled out by the Chef, making a dramatic entrance in the
dining hall. Watching

the chef wield his magic and carve the duck in front of guests was a
feast for the eyes.

Chef carving the beautiful glossy Peking duck

The crispy duck skin was the first to be served,
followed by slices of succulent duck meat. I
usually find Peking duck skin a little too oily and the meat, when
taken alone without any sauce, too dry for my liking, but I soon discovered that Jiang
Nan-Chun’s Peking duck is truly in a league of its own.

Crispy skin that crackles in your mouth like caramel

I
thoroughly enjoyed the crackling crispy skin without the extra layer of
fats, which is perfect for even the most health-conscious patron, and
as I sank my teeth into a slice of duck meat, I was immediately greeted
by the wonderful aroma and an explosion of intense flavours.

It was only then that a wave of realization hit me – I have yet to even pair it with the condiments that accompanied this dish.

In
line with Jiang Nan-Chun’s new concept of “享乐主义”, or “the principle of
enjoyment and happiness” which promotes the idea that how you eat, and
why you eat, is just as important as what you eat, the various eating
methods of “Peking” versus “Cantonese” roast duck are explained when the
condiments and pancakes are served.

Caviar
is the main highlight of the condiments and surprisingly, it
complements the traditional flavours of the Peking duck perfectly,
lending the finishing touches to an unforgettable experience.

Highlight of the condiments – Caviar

Peking Duck served with a generous dollop of caviar

Words
fail to describe how impressed I was as I have never tasted Peking duck
that has approached this level of sophistication.

But that’s not all
that Jiang-Nan Chun has to offer.

Beyond just duck, some of its
signature dim sum and claypot dishes are prepared in the
specially-customized duck oven to greatly enhance the depth of flavours.

Dim Sum

Crispy Flaky Pastry with Black Pepper Beef, Steamed Shrimp Dumpling with Mushroom, Char Siew Sliders with Homemade Pickled Green Chilli

Can
you see the beautiful layers on the Crispy Flaky Pastry with Black
Pepper Meat? There is a total of seventeen symmetrical layers alternated
between water-based and oil-based skin, forming a crispy textured
pastry that envelopes the wood-fired black pepper meat within.

It
takes many hours to make this and the chefs’ hard work certainly pays
off. Just take a bite and let the light, flaky layers melt in your
mouth, revealing the juicy black pepper meat.

I felt like I went to dim sum heaven.

Crispy Flaky Pastry with Black Pepper Beef

The
Char Siew Sliders with Green Pickled Chilli is yet another work of art
that showcases the chefs’ attention to the finest details.

Only
Kurobuta pork, the most highly prized pork in Japan, is used to create
its signature Char Siew. The juiciness, tenderness and distinctive
flavour set it apart from the usual char siew, and that tangy sweetness
of green pickled chilli gives it that extra punch.

Char Siew Sliders with Pickled Green Chilli

Now,
how could I forget the steamed shrimp dumpling, a dim sum mainstay?
Jiang-Nan Chun’s version is clearly a notch above the rest as it comes
with thin, silky smooth skin and generous portions of large succulent
shrimps.

Steamed Shrimp Dumplings with Mushroom

 Appetizer

What
I love about Jiang Nan-Chun is how innovative the dishes are. Take this
appetizer for example. The soft shell prawns are fried to perfection
(they’re so crispy you can actually eat them whole!) with curry leaves
and spices based on the chef’s secret recipe. The almonds and crispy
rice added that extra crunch which made this dish highly addictive.

Soft Shell Prawns with Sliced Almonds & Crispy Rice

Double-boiled Soups

Sea Whelk, Maka (Peruvian Ginseng), Dried Scallops & Pork Ribs

Jiang-Nan Chun’s double-boiled soups are well-loved by VIPs and dignitaries alike, and it is not hard to see why.

To
create a rich stock, the base of the soup is boiled for eight hours
with fresh, natural ingredients. Then, key ingredients are added to the
stock and boiled again for another eight hours.This process ensures that
you reap the wellness benefits of their nourishing soups, which have a
rich, complex flavour yet remain incredibly light on the tastebuds.

Double-boiled soups are my idea of comfort food and needless to say, I finished my bowl of hearty soup in a heartbeat.

Claypots

Wagyu Beef Oxtail with Lemongrass-infused Oil

The
Wagyu Beef Oxtail with Lemongrass-infused Oil is a new signature dish
at Jiang-Nan Chun. Cooked for over 30 hours in the mesquite wood oven,
the meat is so tender it melts in your mouth. It is exceptionally
flavourful and goes very well with a bowl of fragrant white rice.

At
Jiang-Nan Chun, even the tiniest of details is not spared and you’ll be
happy to know that every bowl of rice is individually steamed, so that
every grain is moist and soft.

Main Dishes

Steamed Cod Wrapped in Paper Rice Roll

When
I first read that the next dish to be served was Steamed Cod Wrapped in
Paper Rice Roll, I wasn’t expecting it to turn up looking like a
beautiful art piece with an equally enthralling story behind it.

Can you tell that this dish evokes silk in the water ripples? This
dish tells the story of one of the Four Beauties of China, Xi Shi.
According to the legend, she used to wash her silks in the famous West
Lake in Hangzhou and her gorgeous reflection stunned even the fishes, so
they swam lower below the waters.

I
enjoyed this wellness dish with cod, mushrooms and water chestnuts,
accompanied by a touch of truffle personally shaved by the chef for
every guest.

 Dessert

Desserts are less traditional and like every item on the menu, each brings an element of surprise to the table.

Crispy Salted Egg Yolk Puff Pastry

Fans
of salted egg yolk can get your fix here with the Crispy Salted Egg
Yolk Puff Pastry with Almond. I was particularly enamoured with this as a
refreshing and creative spin is given to the salted egg yolk craze by
incorporating almond cream in this delightful crispy puff pastry.

Avocado cream, coconut sorbet, osmanthus jelly and cocoa nibs

Those
of you who are a little more health-conscious can opt for the Avocado
cream dessert which is lighter on the palate yet equally tasty.

Yogurt Cream, Mung Beans, Longan, Chia Seed, Sour Plum Granite

If
you are feeling more adventurous, opt for the Yogurt Cream dessert. The
juxtaposition of yogurt cream and sour plum granite, topped with a
sprinkling of Chia Seeds, gives it a unique east-meets-west twist.

Tea Pairing & Wine Pairing

In
line with the concept of 享乐, you can always look to the servers for
recommendations on a cup of tea or a glass of wine to complement every
dish and to complete your dining experience.

Tea Pairing

From now till 30 June 2016, call 6831 7220 and quote “25% off Peking Duck” when making a reservation to enjoy 25% off the Signature Peking Duck (U.P. S$98).

There is also a special wine-pairing promotion @S$65++ for 3 glasses of wines curated by their resident wine experts.

*****

Jiang-Nan Chun

Address:
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
190 Orchard Boulevard
Singapore 248646

Tel:
+65 6831 7220


Opening Hours:
Lunch – 11.30am – 2.30pm
Dinner – 6pm – 10.30pm

Laneige Two Tone Lip Bar

I have yet to try this myself but if I recall correctly, these were already flying off the shelves before the show became popular. I hope you can still find them in stores!

Shirts & Shirtdresses

Shirts are practically her wardrobe staple and it is not hard to see why. Song Hye Kyo transits from weekend casual chic to smart casual/semi-formal with absolute ease simply by changing from a pair of shorts to a feminine A-line skirt or putting on a shirt dress. These basic pieces will never go out of style and thus ensure that she is always on point.

Bottom – Washing Linen Blouse from Stylenanda (Shop HERE)

Printed Silk Crepe Mini Dress by Victoria Beckham (Shop HERE)

Bags

Song Hye Kyo generally goes for minimalist, functional bags in the series, such as this beautiful Symmetrical Bag from Celine and the Eco Shoulder Bag from J.Estina, a Korean jewelry and bag label that she was endorsing till January this year. 

Celine Symmetrical Bag (Shop HERE)

J. Estina Savvy Helio Eco Shoulder Bag

J. Estina Savvy Helio Eco Shoulder Bag (Shop HERE)

Earrings from J.Estina

J.Estina Oro Lia Helio Earring (Shop HERE)

DvF by H. Stern Collection (Shop HERE)

Shoes

Comfortable
footwear is a must in the fictitious country of Uruk, and although this
statement about comfortable footwear isn’t entirely true (didn’t you see
her running around the disaster zone in platform heels?!), I’m sure this beautiful pair of
perforated high-top sneakers struck a chord with you, just as it did
for me, because it’s now completely sold out!

Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons Perforated Leather Sneakers

I
have left my email address in the link below and asked to be notified
when the item is back in stock. Good things ought to be shared, so I’m
sharing the link with you too!

Junya Watanabe Commes Des Garcons Perforated Leather Sneakers (Shop HERE)

Now that the long weekend is here, it’s the best time to indulge in some retail therapy! Have you watched the series yet? If so, which of these products do you like best?

As you would know by now, minimalism is my cup of tea. The minimalist style, a classic style that makes dressing up a breeze for anyone, probably best describes the French woman.  T-shirt and jeans are great for summer, but when temperatures are cooler, a tailored shirt and black pants or overalls (like the one pictured here) are my go-to ensemble.

 This
French fashion boutique houses many brands and each collection has a
distinctive Parisian flair to it. Not only do they have quality basics
at affordable prices, you can also find playful, vibrant, feminine
pieces that add a quirky touch to your wardrobe staples. I’m currently obsessed with boxy silhouettes and I have my eye on this two-tone cut-out sleeveless dress from Tara Jarmon.

Tara Jarmon Two-tone Cut-out Sleeveless Dress

The cut-out details at the side add an element of surprise to the clean, minimalist look. I love how sophisticated the collection is and the amazing thing about Rue Madame is that it only carries exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces that maintain a sense of individuality.

Rue Madame has recently launched their online store, which is so exciting especially since summer is just around the corner (fine, for Singaporeans, it’s summer all-year-round)! But yes, whatever the season is, check them out to get some Parisian inspiration and lovely festival wear with several boho, gypsy style brands that are all the rage right now!

Why Tarte?

Tartelette in Bloom Eyeshadow Palette – S$69 (Shop HERE)

Pick and choose from a dazzling array of 9 mattes and 3 lustres which are perfect for transitioning from day to night. Creating different looks is an absolute breeze with this palette as there are endless possibilities. All you have to do is mix and match!

Tarteist Clay Paint Liner in Black – S$34 (Shop HERE)

Eye make-up is never complete without eyeliner, one item that I can never do without. While I usually prefer pencil liners out of sheer convenience, I do like the intense colour that only a cream liner is able to deliver. 

The only issue I have with cream liners is that it takes a steady hand and tons of practice to perfect it. Well, that was until I discovered Tarteist Clay Paint Liner. The sketcher-angled eyeliner brush makes it completely hassle-free. Squeeze a tiny amount on to the tapered tip of the eyeliner tube which transforms into a flat blending stage, then pick up a small amount of product with your brush and line away! 

 It has everything you need in an eyeliner, especially if you wish to create dramatic looks. Not only is it waterproof and budge-proof, it is also extremely black thanks to its triple-black formula. I adore its creamy consistency as it slides effortlessly across your lids. I was able to achieve the perfect winged eyeliner with utmost precision even on my first try, hence to say that I was impressed is definitely an understatement.

Tarteist Creamy Lip Paint – S$30 (Shop HERE)

Top: Tarteist Creamy Lip Paint in TBT // Bottom: Tarteist Creamy Lip Paint in Namaste

Moving on to lip colours. Now we all know that matte lipsticks are all the rage currently, but the trick to getting luscious lips with matte lipsticks lies in finding the right formulation. 

Some matte lipsticks dry out your lips and amplify unsightly lines that even you probably have never noticed before. That is not the case with Tarteist Creamy Lip Paint. It is highly pigmented and comes with a lightweight, moussey consistency that glides luxuriously over your lips before drying to a velvety matte finish. I know this sounds like an oxymoron, but I love how matte my lips look without that dry, icky feeling.

I typically use the precision felt tip on the brush wand applicator to trace the colour on my upper and lower lip line before filling in the lips completely. Namaste is my ideal nude shade as it has blush undertones that perk up your complexion. To dial up the glam factor, go for TBT, a mysterious shade of mauve that is bound to turn heads wherever you go.

Tarteist Lip Crayon S$28 (Shop HERE)

Lip liners are one of the most neglected beauty items, but they are essential tools for priming and defining your lips. Formulated with Vitamin E and mineral pigments that soothe, nourish and protect your lips, it is comforting to know that Tarteist Lip Crayon does so much more than just sculpt your lips. Did you know that it also prevents your lips from feathering?

Transitioning from Day to Night with Tarte Cosmetics

As promised, here are two looks that I created with Tarte Cosmetics’ latest collection. The first look is a soft, feminine everyday look that is suitable for dates and yet professional enough for work. 

For my eyes, I swept charmer (light beige shade) all over my lids to the brow bone as a base, followed by jetsetter (matte warm chocolate shade) on my lids and rocker (shimmery chocolate brown shade) on my crease area, before blending activist (matte cool dark brown shade) and smokeshow (matte dark charcoal shade) at the outer corners. These beautiful eyeshadow shades can all be found in the Tarlette in Bloom palette. Funny girl (champagne gold shade) was used to highlight the inner corners of my eyes before I lined the top and bottom of my eyes with Tarteist Clay Paint Liner. Tarteist Lip Crayon in Boho and Tarteist Lip Paint in Namaste were used to achieve the perfect nude lip.

All I did to achieve a dramatic evening look was to intensify the eyeshadow colours at the outer corner of my eyes with activist and smokeshow from the Tartlette in bloom palette. To add more dimension, I dabbed firecracker (a shimmery cool brown shade) in the inner crease area too. Tarteist Lip Crayon in Latergram and Tarteist Lip Paint in TBT lent the finishing touches to this glamorous look. 

As you can tell, a change of lip colour makes a huge difference, which explains why I always carry two lipsticks in different shades with me.

Do you like these looks that I’ve created? 

If you are interested in these new products from Tarte Cosmetics, click HERE to shop now!

To ensure that your hair and scalp are well taken care of, only Aveda and Keraganic products are used at ToliV Salon. Aveda probably needs little or no introduction as they are widely known for using natural ingredients that are beneficial to your hair, scalp and overall well-being. I am a huge fan of their shampoo and conditioner.