A walk at Queenstown

Today I made a visit to Queenstown with Nigel. That's where my secondary school is located, and where my boyfriend and I met!

I wanted to see if the entire area has really changed - buildings getting demolished. It really did. For a moment I was really upset over the drastic changes to that place, how my favourite hawker centre is gone and mad at myself why I didn't make a trip back earlier.

Constructions

Converse white high-cut sneakers, nude oxfords from Esprit

I'm wearing Dressabelle's Peter Pan dress in Nude. At first I was resistant to wearing such a girly dress but I wanted to step out of my comfort zone! The dress is much better in reality - it features a pleated front and hidden zippers at the back. It comes along with a complimenting red ribbon, perfect for chinese new year!

Again, Dressabelle has never failed to offer dresses with inner lining, something that I ALWAYS look for in a dress. Especially light-coloured ones. Cheers for conservative dresses!

Dress - Dressabelle, oxfords - Esprit, bag - Perllini

Queensway, Queensway, long may she remain! ~

Did you know:

Ancient Chinese women used to wear pearls a lot because pearls reflect light to the surrounding skin, making them look radiant!

Arm party full of pearls

Something I learnt from experience:

For Asians, we look better with anything off-white - e.g. cream, ivory, nude pinks. Pure bleached white tends to make us look darker and more 'yellow' when worn. So, unless you want to look dark intentionally, avoid pure white pieces. :)

I'm crazy about the Peter Pan collars! They look adorable when worn against a contrasting cardigan, even from the back. I love how the collars make a subtle appearance on top of my cardigan.

Pleated details

See!

So much can change in two years...It's Ngee Ann's poly open house today which made me realize I have only a year left before I graduate again. At times I really do miss secondary school life and the people I used to see. There used to be a block '6 C' just beside my school, a place where gangsters used to fight. I don't even remember when it turned into a flat piece of land. 

My Experience With ASOS

Just want to dedicate a this entry to praise ASOS for their acts of service that are truly commendable.

Background
About 3 months ago I made my first ever order from ASOS. During the week of expected delivery, I realized that my address entered in my account was incorrect - it lacked my unit number. I panicked and wrote tons of messages to ASOS hoping for a miracle that my parcel will magically reach my place anyway.

Long story short:

1. ASOS has a flawless communication system
ASOS made a promise somewhere on their website that all emails will be attended to within 4 hours. And they did. I received all replies within 3 hours. Good job!

However, my parcel was nowhere to be found.... BUT,

2. ASOS refunded me in full
Just because I waited patiently and asked if my parcel has returned to their warehouse. (which it didn't by the way). My parcel is supposed to be in the hands of SingPost once it lands in Singapore. So who to blame? SINGPOST. WHY YOU NO RETURN MY PARCEL?!

ASOS's email to me

Even in emails,  I was treated so courteously with full sentences. Why would any online business in the world refund me in full when my parcel is not even proved to be really missing? And by making sure all emails to be replied within 4 hours it means people work around the clock?!

I want everyone to see that THIS is what good service is supposed to be. I am truly impressed by ASOS although it's merely virtual interaction and my parcel failed to reach me anyway. If by any chance any staff from ASOS is reading this, THANK YOU SO MUCH. :)

Lessons learnt

1. Check your address again and again before checking out
Yes, very important! Do not use auto-fill for filling in of addresses. Watch out for address blanks that states 'Address line 1' and 'Address line 2' - you're supposed to see your full address without having to scroll right for extra hidden words (if you know what I mean)

2. Good service goes a long way
Here I am, spreading the joy to everyone who is reading my blog!

Happy New Year!

Blouse - Oh So Fickle boutique, pants - Forever 21, Shoes - Charles&Keith

All things berries! 

Beautiful sunset!

Top - market, pants - Kate Love, shoes - Vans, bag - Perllini

How was everyone's new year's eve? I had a feast at Desiree's place, steamboat at Nigel's, watched sad movies on my own and caught up with my good friends. I love cozy gatherings, but decided to see the nightlife scene at Clark Quay this NYE. There were people that were passed out, people who danced on the bridge blasting music from portable stereo, people who ran and hugged random strangers - what a sight!

I used to write down new year resolutions for myself during secondary school days but I no longer do so. It used to be things like "achieve Gold award for fitness exam"; that was somewhat predictable and I knew that it'll happen one day since it's compulsory by MOE. Right now, I feel like my life is unpredictable and free-going. I'm driven by instant rewards and do whatever that passion pushes me to. I easily forget tasks that will only reward in a long run (e.g. academic work/ sleep) and it's bad, that's tunnel vision.

Steve Jobs once mentioned something like, "in life, you can only connect the dots when you look backwards.." during his commencement speech at Stanford University . I strongly agree with him. I only realize what I have achieved as I reflect upon all the things I have achieved in the past year. Things include starting out this blog, LookBook, worked with Carrie Models, worked with Dressabelle (extremely grateful for this opportunity), took up Bible Study again. At the end of the day, you just need to hold yourself together, get help from the right people and faith. Yes, faith, keep believing in yourself. You don't have to wait for the new year to set your resolutions, right?

Have a happy 2012 everyone!


/edited
Some achievable resolutions that I wish to follow:

- To get at least 7 hours of undisturbed night's rest daily
- To not push any unfinished work to the next day

Easier said than done, but I'm going to try! I am convinced that nothing is more important than sleep.

NastyGal Picks

Jeffrey Campbell perfect platform

Ynez chain cuff

Nevermind maxi skirt

UNIF garter skirt

Currently lusting over these drool-worthy pieces from Nasty Gal.

Oh how I wish for snow?

Open back top - Oakham Market, jeans - April 77, bag - Charles&Keith

Cats

So yep, I woke the kitty from its afternoon nap. Don't think it liked me a lot.

Oh how I wish for snow...

Bag - Shanghai, platforms - Jeffrey Campbell

Wool sweater - Mango, leather shorts - The Scarlet Room

This wine coloured double zipper shorts has to be my favourite thing to wear this festive season. Self-manufactured by The Scarlet Room, its superior quality gave me a pleasant surprise considering the amount I paid for ($29.90). It's well lined and the leather very smooth. Such a joy!

Photography under the gloomy sky was a pain. Thanks to Yuting who made it possible somehow! Ever grateful to all my photographers <3

Animal Print Pants

Read full article HERE!

I absolutely adore animal print pants. I own one in python print. Those pants usually come in middle rise and three quarter length; not only it prevents a spillage of a muffin top, they show off your cute shoes at the same time!

More often than not the print will look pretty striking so try to stick with plain tops and shoes that does not compete for attention with your pants. I also find pairing pointed shoes with cigarette cut pants extra attractive. Seems like those Audrey Hepburn style pumps are making a return for 2012.

1 Dress, 3 ways

"Basics are the foundation of your closet, because they can practically be worn with anything. Look at basics as a blank canvas that we can create our masterpiece from."

- Chriselle Lim, Fashion Stylist

I cannot agree enough with this statement. I spend hours shopping for all the trendiest outfits but why do I end up with almost nothing to wear for school?

Because I have not stocked up enough on basics. 

As strange as it may sound, my favourite pieces from my wardrobe are my old blue jeans, my Vans sneakers and that black cotton tee. They are my go-tos when I'm running late, they are the ones that match anything and everything and leaves me comfortable at the end of the day. They aren't attractive nor fancy, but there's something about basics that I never ever get bored of.

Bias-cut Tux dress by Dressabelle

Dressabelle's asymmetrical dress was the perfect choice for me. It features a button down collar that is flattering for all but what makes it not-so-basic is that slanted hem. It's flowy without being overly drapey. And don't worry ladies, it comes with a inner slip! (Dressabelle is really considerate when it comes to dressing modestly I promise.)

The Bias-cut Tux dress looks stunning on its own. But I'm going to show you 3 looks that I dressed myself up with using other basic pieces that most people already own.


Look 1: Accessorize

Hey, don't tell me you don't have accessories? Personally, I love black and silver jewelry in metallic finish. That's just my preference.

I wore my some bangles, put on a studded belt and a collar necklace for an interesting neckline. And of course, a hot pink lipstick (MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Speak Louder) really helped brighten up my dark assemble.

Thin silver bangle - FEP, $7 / Beads - Shanghai / Gem bangle - Diva, gifted

Collar necklace - City Plaza, $16

Look 2: Wear a dress as a skirt

Who says dresses are not versatile? All I did to make my dress a skirt was adding a plain sweater. Then, I accentuated my waistline with a thin belt and there you have it - an asymmetrical skirt! The white sweater made my outfit look neat and classy. Besides, it kept me warm and cozy against the cool breeze.

Knit sweater - G2000, second hand

Look 3: Feeling festive

Convert the knee-length dress to a maxi by layering another skirt beneath! The greatest thing about chiffon is its sheer texture that allows other colours/prints to show through.

I chose a pleated velvet full skirt in red that added a dash of colour to my black dress.

Pleated velvet skirt - City Plaza, $30

So which was your favourite look?

If you love the Bias-cut Tux dress, get it soon before it's sold out! Remember, make use of what you already have and with some creativity, you'll be able to recycle your outfits over and over like I do!

Great thanks to my very sweet photographer for the day, Joanne! Thank you <3