Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
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About Me
Fashion
Travel
Beauty
Lifestyle
Personal Thoughts
Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
  • About Me
  • Fashion
  • Travel
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Busy Birthday Week

December 8, 2009 by Regina Chow 4 Comments
I’m sorry I have not posted any of my buys from the Korea trip. I have been so swamped at work ever since I got back that I hardly have any time for myself. Today’s my birthday but I only managed to get off work at 7.30p.m. To think that I was supposed to be on afternoon leave!
Before I continue with my Japan trip updates, I thought I should post just one dress up for sale!;) This dress isn’t from my Korea trip but I fell madly in love with the nautical striped satin fabric. The cutesy bow in the middle lends a touch of playfulness to the entire outfit, making it perfect for the weekend. It’s very versatile as you can just throw a blazer over for work. Fits S-M best in my opinion as this is a tad loose for me.

For a better view of the dress, pls click on pics below. I have a brand new piece for sale, so do e-mail me at regina.chow@gmail.com if you are keen.
Price: S$28 PENDING

I bought a little birthday gift for myself from Ferragamo last weekend. It doubled up as a reward for working into the wee hours of the morning. πŸ˜‰ Now, my dark rings are even darker than before!!

Within the paper bag lies a pair of Carla bow pumps in bisque. There was a 30% discount on this baby and they had it in my size! I took the one with shorter heels (5cm) for greater comfort.

It happened to be a good hair and good skin day despite being deprived of sleep, if that’s any consolation. LOL

Alright, I’m gonna take a much deserved break for now. Sigh, it sure doesn’t feel like it’s the end of the year!

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Tokyo Midtown, Asakusa & Akihabara

November 28, 2009 by Regina Chow No Comments
My friend, M-san, very kindly hosted us to lunch @ cuisine francaise JJ (Tokyo Midtown Galleria Garden Terrace, 2nd fl.|9-7-4 Akasaka Minato-ku 107-0052 Phone: 03-5413-3445) in Midtown Tokyo.
Hors d’Ε“uvre – cauliflower mousse with caviar


Pumpkin soupChargrilled scallop with tempura battered fish
Some fish but I can’t remember the name πŸ˜›
And now, for my favourite part of any meal – desserts! We had a unique concoction of blueberry mousse topped with bubbly champagne. Absolutely divine.

My all-time favourite dessert – Creme BruleeWe were introduced to Yoshi, who played host for the rest of the afternoon. Don’t be deceived by his astute sense of fashion (I personally dig the lapel pin that he wore as it was in the shape of a sock)! He used to work for the Japanese Navy and he was telling us that he had to get ready for combat in one minute!! How very unlike Grace and myself. Both of us take a minimum of one hour to get ready. Well, I guess being a woman has its perks :P.
We went to Asakusa to visit Senso-ji after the meal.
First, we had to trawl through an entire row of shops selling a variety of traditional Japanese snacks and othe touristy knick-knacks.
This was our favourite snack but we can’t recall its name. It looks like moshi filled with red bean paste and it’s deep fried to perfection. It’s crispy on the outside yet soft and fluffy on the inside.


Yoshi urged us to get our fortune told. You slip 100 yen into a slot & then shake the cylindrical container till a stick drops out. Each stick has a number stated on it, and you would then have to open a small drawer with the corresponding number that you had picked for a slip of paper.

Coincidentally, both of us picked the same BAD lot!!!! We kicked up a huge fuss as we couldn’t believe it, having been fortunate enough to have met with so many kind and helpful friends who hosted us during the trip!

In a bid to console ourselves, I told Grace that it must be because 1) we don’t believe in the religion and 2) the temple was under renovation, hence the Gods could not really hear our prayers. πŸ˜› I must have said this umpteenth times, but I always believe that your future lies in your own hands, although we were both quite appalled when we received our lots.
Yoshi also arranged a 30 min rickshaw ride for us so that we could take in the sights and sounds of Asakusa in the comfort of our seats. Here’s Masa, our guide for the tour. He was a friendly and polite chap.


The geishas’ office in Asakusa. It really reminds me of a post office though ;).

We bade farewell to Yoshi at Akihabara. Thanks to him, we found out about a new girl group in Japan by the name of Akihabara 48 as he had engaged them to be his brand ambassadors. We were happily imitating their poses in our hotel rooms for the next couple of days. Catch us in action in my Kyoto posts later on.

We had a stroll along Akihabara. Along the way, we (erm actually maybe more of Grace? HAHA) were so captivated (albeit more shocked actually) by a 7-storey building filled with porn dvds and lecherous men in suits.

We then make our way back to Vinetoca at Tokyo Midtown to attend the birthday party of a famous Japanese rock star who is also the music producer for many renowned Japanese artistes. Despite the language barriers, we had a great time chatting (thanks to M-san for translating) and dining with the guests. I was also given the honour of presenting said rock star with his birthday present before the night came to an end. πŸ™‚

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Tsukiji Fish Market & Imperial Palace East Gardens

November 27, 2009 by Regina Chow No Comments
We woke up at 430a.m. in Japan to catch the most exhilarating auction experience ever at Tsukiji Fish Market.
Alas, vanity manifested itself at the wrong hour, hence we took longer than expected to arrive at the market. Grace had been eagerly awaiting for this day but by the time we arrived, the auction had ended and there were only 2 pathetic pieces of tuna left in the room!!!

With disappointment written all over our faces, we reluctantly took out our cameras to capture what was left of the auction earlier on.

Oh well, better than nothing right? πŸ˜›

The fish market is just like the wet markets you find in Singapore, except that you see a lot of interesting seafood here as well.


I especially like the picture of the fish roe!! Looks gross but I love it with sushi!!


Check out the clams! Each of them was the size of a fist!

Next up were yummy sea urchins. I first tasted sea urchin during my last trip to Tokyo during dinner at Nogawa Restaurant and I absolutely adored the taste! We were served by the owner of Nogawa Restaurant in a private room, and he prepared all the dishes in front of us. Apparently, Nogawa is MM Lee’s favourite Japanese restaurant, and he would definitely make it a point to have a meal there whenever he is in Tokyo.

The prawns were humungous as well. Don’t be deceived by the photo….they were as long as our forearm!!Queuing up to get into Daiwa Sushi (5-2-1 Tsukiji Central Ward 6, Tsukiji Fish Market 03-3547-6807) which was highly recommended by Lonely Planet.

Many of these motorized vehicles whizzed past us in multiple directions, threatening to knock us over at any minute. It was quite scary having to navigate in such an environment!!

The wait was mighty long, so we resorted to cam-whoring to while our time away.

Finally got in! The chef was a very kind and friendly old gentleman who allowed us to take photographs although there was this grumpy old woman who kept coming over to remind us that photos were prohibited. I guess she wanted us to finish up the food quickly and leave so that she can attend to more customers.
This shows perhaps just 70% of what we ate. Imagine having to eat such a huge portion for breakfast! We got sooo full thereafter that both of us ended up with indigestion!
We had the set menu, which cost us 3500 yen per person (approximate SGD 55), definitely our most expensive breakfast ever πŸ˜› Here’s what the set consisted of: hot green tea (duh!) miso soup with tiny clams, a small rosy pile of pickled ginger, nigiri sushi of 2x Toro (fatty tuna), Ama ebi (raw prawn), Uni (sea urchin), Anago (grilled eel), Tamago (sweet egg) and 3 small pieces of maguro maki (tuna roll) and Ikura (salmon roe).
After a hearty breakfast, it was time for us to work our asses off by taking a stroll at the Imperial Palace East Gardens (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen).


Haha I forced Grace to take a pic with me while she was happily chatting with her mum.

We also had great fun posing with the trees, autumn leaves, and cute little Japanese kids!

This little girl was so obliging. We asked her mum if we could take a photo and the girl literally just walked into our laps with a smile. On the contrary, her sis ran away, petrified. πŸ˜›

Grace was exhausted after playing with cute Jap kids…hahaha
Resting on a walkway. Autumn leaves provide such a fantastic backdrop.

Silly us secretly took some photos on this prohibited plot of land because the view was too pretty to resist! We got shooed by a security guard once, but we turned a deaf ear to him and continued to camwhore. Boy were we shameless hahaha!!

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Hakone

November 26, 2009 by Regina Chow No Comments
Hakone, a town in Ashigarashimo District in Kanagawa Prefecture, is famous for its onsen (i.e. hot spring) resorts. As much as I wanted to try out the onsen, I really couldn’t imagine being stark naked in front of a bunch of strangers. πŸ˜‰

En route from Mount Fuji to Hakone

Its well-known sights include cherry blossoms (sakura) in Spring and Miscanthus sinesis (susuki) in Autumn. It was love at first sight for me when I saw the susukis. It looked like a scene from a Korean romance drama series…so romantic and magical..

We finally reached the cable car station.

The ride was rather slow and dull, but the scenery that surrounded us left us in awe of mother nature.






We then left to take a cruise along Lake Ashi, otherwise known as Hakone Lake.

The serene surroundings envelopes you with an air of tranquility while the vast expanse of lush greenery soothes your senses and calms the soul.

It felt surreal having the sea breeze caress my face and ruffle my hair while my eyes feasted on a breathtaking view of the verdant landscape. I wished that time would stand still so that I would never have to leave!



Alas, time waits for no man and it wasn’t long before the sun set signalled that it was time for us to leave.

We stumbled upon Yakitori Doori (Yakitori Street) at Shinjuku on our way back and ended the day with a lovely dinner at a hole-in-the-wall yakitori restaurant.



What better way to end the day than with a mug of ice-cold beer in one hand and sticks of grilled meat in another!

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Mount Fuji

November 24, 2009 by Regina Chow No Comments

We booked a JTB tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone from the JTB Singapore office before we left for Japan.

You know what? It just struck me that these pics are more than a month overdue and I’m quite, quite embarrassed because I still have a gazillion pictures from my Japan trip that I have yet to sort out!!

On the way to Mount Fuji

The view from the bus


Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan at 3,776m, is the country’s most renowned symbol and attraction. It is a dormant volcano (surprise surprise!!) which last erupted in 1707-1708.

The view at Mount Fuji was just magnificent. No words can describe the grandeur and majesty that it exudes. These photos were taken at the Mount Fuji Visitor Centre before we proceeded to the 5th station. πŸ™‚

Cute Mount Fuji origami folded by us πŸ˜‰

With the glorious snow-capped mountain against a backdrop of autumn colours, it was no surprise that every photo turned out looking like a picture-perfect postcard. We were mesmerized by the picturesque scene.




On the way to the 5th station

What a breath-taking view! I wish I could bask in the beauty of nature everyday…

And finally, we arrive at the 5th Station. It was a sunny day and the skies were clear, but we experienced terribly strong winds!!


While I was blown away by the captivating scenery, the winds were so strong that I thought I was going to be really blown away…like literally.

See what I mean?

Mount Fuji Cakes.
They were so cute that we bought a box just to try. Didn’t taste as good as they looked though.


Camwhoring with the cakes and postcard πŸ˜‰

Lunch was at Tomi no sato Kokorogi Japanese Restaurant at Highland Resort Hotel & Spa. We had a private spot beside the sunken courtyard, accompanied by a full view of Mount Fuji.

The simplicity of the decor, coupled with the exquisite landscaping at the courtyard, elicits a sense of serenity.

Grace had Ten-Don for 1800 yen (approximately SGD28) and she claims it’s the best tempura she has ever tasted!
I had sashimi-don for 2000 yen (approximately SGD32). The sashimi was so sweet and succulent it left me craving for more! The meal was very satisfying and nothing short of fantastic.

Took a final shot with Mount Fuji before we headed off to Hakone, the second part of our tour!

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TWG

November 22, 2009 by Regina Chow No Comments

I’m taking a quick break from my Japan trip posts. πŸ˜‰

JW and I had tea at the newly opened TWG outlet at ION shortly after I returned from Japan. Although TWG is a Singapore company, they have such a huge assortment of tea that it leaves you spoilt for choice! The queue on weekends can be pretty horrendous, so if you want to try out this place, I’ll suggest that you go on weekdays instead.


We had tea and scones. I had Geisha Blossom tea while JW had Earl Grey Gentleman. I personally think that the tea is value for money as it comes in a gigantic pot. I think each of us had about 10 cups of tea! The scones are pretty average though. I prefer the ones at Royal Copenhagen anytime.


Here’s what I wore that day:

Skirt and bow belt were my new purchases from Snidel in Tokyo. The skirt comes with pretty embroidery and tulle lining. It was love at first sight for me. ;P

The clutch was also newly purchased from Pleats Please by Issey Miyake. I was totally mesmerized by the bold and innovative designs in their store at Tokyo Midtown.


The mesh of florescent colours and gem accents add a dash of fun and playfulness to the design, without compromising functionality.


JW, on the other hand, wore the new gecko choker that I got for him from Agnes B in Tokyo. I like that the colour of the choker blends in with his skin tone. It is so different from the usual black leather ones that I see around.

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More Shopping and Meiji Shrine

November 21, 2009 by Regina Chow No Comments
In a paradise like Japan, there are always opportunities for feasting and shopping. To satiate our hunger before embarking on our next shopping spree, we had a simple fare of spaghetti and sandwiches at Cafe Amiti, tucked away in a cozy corner of the JR Shinjuku station.


Shinjuku is one of my favourite shopping spots in Japan, because you can find anything and everything here, from quaint boutiques to large departmental stores. My favourite shops, Snidel, Cecil Mcbee and US brand Kitson, can all be found at Lumine 2 at the JR Shinjuku Station.

I heard that Daikanyama is another fabulous place for shopping, especially if you like apparel from independent Japanese designers. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for my pocket, we didn’t have enough time this round.

Later in the day, we ventured to Meiji Shrine, located right at the heart of Harajuku. The gate is where cosplayers usually gather on weekends. What a bizarre contrast against the traditional facade of the shrine! Though we didn’t manage to catch the cosplayers in action, that gives us another reason to revisit Japan. Strangely enough, one of my Japanese clients said that I bear a semblance to renowned cosplay idol, Nagakawa Shoko. While I am rather flattered, I certainly do not think we look alike. πŸ™‚

As you would also probably know by now, I am not particularly fond of shrines because:
1) I am a freethinker, and I believe that my destiny lies in my own hands. You reap what you sow.;
2) I was already greatly overwhelmed by all the shrines in Korea; and
3) I believe that spiritual satisfaction comes in different forms and need not be directly associated with religion. More importantly, we should always reflect upon our own actions and maintain a clear conscience.

Regardless, photo-taking was still a must. πŸ˜›




The evening was spent shopping at Shibuya, where I went crazy buying lingerie from Peach John at Shibuya 109. Most of the shops, including Peach John, could be found at Shinjuku though, but it was a pleasure trawling the neon lit streets, feeling the cold night breeze in our faces.


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Japan Day 2 – Ginza

November 14, 2009 by Regina Chow No Comments
After our early breakfast, we slept from 8am to about 2pm before we left for Ginza again to meet up with Grace’s friend, Jessie, for lunch and shopping.

Lunch was at Tatsutano (7-8-7 Ginza, Ginza Tokyo, Phone: 3571-1850) , a 100 year old shop famous for traditional Japanese sweets.

Grace had the chicken with chestnut set while Jessie and I chose the unagi set.

The unagi was the best that I have ever tasted. The meat was so soft, succulent and flavourful that it literally melted in my mouth. Definitely the perfect comfort food for nursing a hangover.

Since Tatsutano is famous for its desserts, we couldn’t leave without trying their signature desserts could we?
First up was Anmitsu, which essentially comprises small cubes of jelly served with azuki bean paste, green tea ice-cream and an array of fruits such as peach, mikan and cherries.

The famous oshiruko – Japanese red bean soup with mochi rice cake. The soup was rich yet not overpoweringly sweet while the mochi was chewy and fluffy!

Besides having a good feast, the other way to nurse a hangover is to shop up a storm. That’s exactly what we did for the rest of the day! There was hardly any time for picture taking as we were rushing in and out of the stores before closing time :P.

Dinner was at a small shop tucked in a corner of the JR Shimbashi station, near Jessie’s hotel, Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier. We ordered our food via a vending machine. This is a first for me in Japan..so suaku (i.e. ignorant) of me.

Jessie and I each ordered the single hamburger steak set.


Grace, on the other hand, ordered the largest and most expensive set on the menu haha.

All our sets came with a slab of hamburger steak (Grace’s set came with 2 slabs) miso soup, egg, bacon, vegetables and rice. It was so filling that we all wasted a substantial portion of our food!
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Housewarming

October 11, 2009 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

We attended a friend’s housewarming over the weekend. The weekends are getting busier for us these days with so many gatherings yet so little time. I know this sounds sadistic, but I actually enjoy getting all tired out as a result of my busy schedule.

Coloured my hair ash brown recently. I decided to clip it to the side and accessorize with a ribbon clip. I still have a white pearl ribbon clip with diamontes (lined in white, not purple as shown in pic) for sale, so let me know at regina.chow@gmail.com if you are keen.

Price: S$14.90 – SOLD-And finally, here’s what I wore. I absolutely love this breezy number!

I’ll be away from this Saturday onwards, so see you guys when I’m back. πŸ˜‰
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Temples, Palaces and Flowers

October 10, 2009 by Regina Chow No Comments
Frankly, I’m not really a fan of temples and palaces, but walking under the hot sun (which I hate) did me some good. Walking brought me closer to mother nature, and made me appreciate the azure sky, lush greenery and glorious blooms even more.

Just in case you were wondering, these pictures were not edited at all. Isn’t the sky just lovely?






I was engulfed in the beauty that surrounded me. It’s unfortunate that the only time I am able to stop and smell the flowers is when I am on holiday overseas.

Sometimes I wonder if more can be done to achieve inner peace and balance. I should probably start by re-prioritizing my goals. πŸ™‚

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About Me

Hi! My name is Regina and I am a style, beauty and travel enthusiast who enjoys writing, photography and letting my creative juices flow.

My blogging journey has been nothing short of exciting. I was recently named the winner of Her World Magazine’s Estee Lauder Style Superstar Awards 2016. My blog was also awarded Best Fashion Blog (Grand Winner) at the Singapore Blog Awards 2014. The year before that, it won Best Online Shopping Blog at the Singapore Blog Awards 2013.

Additionally, it is listed as one of the 10 interesting blogs on Singapore by AsiaWeb Direct (http://www-singapore.com/blogs.htm). I was also featured on both local and international mainstream media for my views on style, fashion and online shopping:

The Straits Times (14 Oct 2014)

The Business Times (14 Oct 2014)

My Paper (13 Oct 2014)

CNBC ("Pricey Singapore: Savvy shoppers go online" - 28 Dec 2014)

For advertorials/partnerships, feel free to contact me at regina.chow@gmail.com.

Thank you!

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