I have just started unpacking, which is a huge challenge because my mum and I came back with 4 luggages that were packed to the brim.

I couldn’t resist wearing some of the clothes out though. This was what I wore yesterday to rider’s cafe for lunch. The entire ensemble is from my Korea haul.

Chanel-inspired t-shirt with floral skirt and gladiator heels. Love the ribbon hairband too!

My pretty ribbon hairband. The ribbon applique is made of white pearls and diamontes. Gorgeous isn’t it?
I have an extra piece for sale, so drop me an e-mail at regina.chow@gmail.com if you are interested!
Price: SGD29.90 -SOLD-

This hairband typically retails at a hefty $60 or more at some shops in Far East Plaza, but rest assured that I’m selling this at a pocket-friendly price 🙂

I also brought along a pretty bow cardigan as it was raining in the afternoon.

This knitted cardigan has two pretty bows made of shimmering pearls and buttons that resemble black gem-like stones (see close-up pics below).

If you are a fan of bows, just like me, this is the perfect cardi for you! This is free sized but I would recommend it for UK6-8 girls.

Ardent fans of Korean fashion (like me!) will know that such cardigans typically retail at more than SGD100 per piece at most shops in Singapore, a pretty exorbitant price to pay even for avid cardi-lovers like me!

To prevent a hole in your pocket, I brought back an extra piece from Korea to share with my readers, so if you are interested, drop me an e-mail at regina.chow@gmail.com! Price: SGD 49.90 *Sold*

I’ll be posting up more items for sale as I slowly unpack my luggages, so do look out for more affordable Korean fashion!

Established in 1994, Samantha Thavasa is a Japanese fashion company that is well-known for their popular handbags in a multitude of designs and colours. The brand’s target clientele has traditionally been working women in their 20s and its marketing campaigns have always been characterised by the extensive use of western celebrities such as Beyonce, the Hilton sisters, and most recently, Jennifer Lopez as well as Sarah Jessica Parker.

I have always wanted to lay my hands on a Samantha Thavasa bag.

While some designs are a little too loud for me, they do carry very tastefully designed bags with excellent workmanship. During my recent trip to Tokyo, I had the fortuitous opportunity to get up close and personal with the brand.

I don’t usually talk about my work trips as everything is highly private and confidential, but well, I guess I can talk about a bag that I purchased 🙂

I got this baby at 50% off its original price at the retail shop. There was a family sale in the brand’s main office as well, but we had to rush off to the airport, much to my dismay.

As you would probably have noticed, I am really attracted to red bags these days. Just in time for National Day too, don’t you think? 😉

Look, we even bought white artificial roses (looks pretty real huh) to match our red Murano glass vase from Venice. How apt.

Time to nurse myself back to the pink of health now. I’m suffering from a bad sore throat and slight fever. Bye!

I was at LV@ Ion Orchard on Friday and I must say the service was immaculate! The sales assistant serving me not only offered friendly feedback on what he thought looked good on me, he also gave me tips on bag maintenance. What I really liked about his service was the affable yet professional image that he portrayed, coupled with a suitable amount of small talk. You know how some SAs irk the hell out of you with their incessant chatter, but he was able to strike a balance and not go overboard, which is regrettably very rare in Singapore’s context. The best part was, he even escorted me all the way to the door while thanking me profusely for my patronage.

I am pretty critical about service standards, and I am guilty of boycotting stores that do not not meet the mark in this respect. In fact, I have never quite liked shopping in LV stores in Singapore, but the flagship store at Ion Orchard certainly changed my perspective.

Well, and if you’re curious about what I bought, here is my new purchase (i.e. it’s time for me to eat grass).

This week has been terribly hectic. I’ve been eating so much good food that I now crave for plain congee. That’s what happens when you have 8 course lunches at Lei Garden and Royal China the whole week.

And here’s what happens when I feel worn out:

1) Shop

I go shopping! Being the decisive shopper that I am, I bagged the lipstick and eyeshadow palette from MAC in just 15 minutes while I was on the way back to office.

I’ve been looking high and low for a cheap biker jacket just to spice up my wardrobe (no, not the Harley Davidson type please). Finally found what I wanted from nellyjoy:

On a separate note, I have been told that some people find me rather fearsome. Perhaps based on societal views, I come across as being a materialistic person, since I’m always well-groomed (apparently) and decked out in suits or silk dresses. Well..given the nature of my job, I can’t afford not to dress up ya know…

Perhaps some are not aware that I do enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I don’t really do much on weekends except eat. My bf can certainly attest to that hahaha. Oh and I spend most Sundays at home working.

I love going for walks in Peirce Reservoir, Seletar Reservoir..basically anywhere with green pastures and calm waters. I don’t have to go overseas to enjoy the beauty of nature when it’s just at my doorstep. There are people who supposedly lead simple lives traveling around the world to immerse themselves in nature. While there is absolutely no fault in that, I can’t help but wonder if this is a false sense of simplicity…

Perhaps the act of immersing yourselves in nature is simple, but you can’t deny that the desire to go to Europe, South Africa, USA etc. is in a way a materialistic pursuit. After all, it is very financially draining.

While I sometimes do have the impetus to just put down whatever I’m doing to travel around the world, I just don’t think it’s prudent to sacrifice my financial resources (yes I am still financially stable, in case you were wondering). 😉

So, if travelling the world just to be close to nature is a simple pursuit, who is to say that shopping is not? 😉

Lylarose Dress

Milani Runway Eyes in Backstage Black
That being said, I just remembered that I bought 5 pieces of clothes (2 dresses, 2 tops and a pair of shorts) from Vera Moda when I was in China and also mineral make-up from Everyday Minerals. I reckon it’s a sign of old age. More importantly, it’s a sign that I need to tighten my purse strings even more!!

Thank goodness for my recent pay adjustment. I desperately need to save up for our new home. For the time being, I guess I should also shelve my plans to perm my hair.

In addition, I am praying hard that I don’t shop during my upcoming work trip to Japan in late August and my prewedding shoot in Macau/HK this September. Friends, please keep me in your prayers ya????