Great Waves

Jeffrey Campbell 'Soiree Silver' heels, purchased from ashbusyskies.com (similar here)

Great Wave leggings - BlackMilk | Leather jacket - Taiwan 

Photos by Mandy

I am fully aware that the void deck of a HDB is far from what's ideal to do these leggings justice. Excuse me. Those waves appear beautifully like illusion seen from afar. I have received many compliments and even my mother approves of it! BlackMilk does a perfect job creating products that play tricks with the eyes, some of which even contain twisted humor. How about beer leggings for Halloween? Speaking of Halloween, what are you guys doing this year?

Ride

Oh my. Lana Del Rey did it again. Her latest single is perfection. Am I the only one who find my eyes welling up in tears just by watching her live performances? Everything in the ten minutes long video is so beautiful. Her ethereal voice seems to have the ability to carry my soul faraway and leaves me hypnotized...

90's Swing

"Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair!"

Empire Houndstooth Dress - Dressabelle | Blouse (layered beneath) - vintage

Evening sun, flowers in my hair and a swingy dress to run about in...that might just be the perfect formula to look good in photos. I really love this particular foyer that is filled with beautiful street lamps and the cutest shrubs I've ever seen. It makes me happy and naturally I started twirling around the lamps! Sure I did attract some curious passers-by but does it really matter when I am so comfortable?

Mary janes - Dr Martens | Flower headband - Bangkok

A friend of mine asked me to advice her on recycling her wardrobe because she is tired of having to repeat. I can totally emphasize with those "I have nothing to wear" moments. We all have our days. Well just look at the dress I have on - it has buttons on the front and a waist sash. Why not try wearing it with buttons on the back, sash tied to the back, throw on a jacket etc. Try not to see a dress as it is; instead see it as part of your outfit.

Layering a collar blouse beneath a dress is a quick way to 'recycle' your clothes.

At the first glance, you might be thinking I am wearing a one-piece dress but in fact, layering a nice blouse underneath is how I like to dress up recently. I was actually inspired by school girls who wear pinafore dresses as school uniforms. My school didn't offer that. Therefore I always found myself in envy because you never have to worry about your shirt riding up when you are in a pinafore, right? Besides, it is so much classier and modest! 

Photos by JJ

Dust Bunny Vintage Store

Dust Bunny is located among shophouses along Bukit Purmei Road.

So many of you have commented that you love seeing posts regarding thrift shopping in Singapore. Today I have somewhere new to introduce you!

Dust Bunny Vintage
Blk 112 #01-203 Bukit Purmei Road, Singapore 090112
www.dustbunnyvintage.com/

Well Dust Bunny is not exactly a 'thrift store' in a sense that you are buying donated stuff. I spoke to the shopkeeper that day who revealed to me the items in store are vintage - mostly sourced from America and Japan.

While the cheaper dresses ($30~$50) are comparable to some of the ones I saw in Granny's Day Out, there were many dresses that are truly one of a kind. I found a full length lace cape women used to wear over their nightgown in the fifties, and a Medieval style dress with suede corset details. Of course, those dresses are priced slightly higher from $100~$200.

Bags of all sorts - including a wooden box bag that's peeling on its surface.

There were many beautiful jewelry displayed everywhere. Harp shaped brooch, butterfly hair pins, silk cardholders etc...

You are lucky if you have small feet because somehow footwear seems to run smaller in the past? The pointy pair on your far right costs $60. (almost bought it)

Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo pumps

More random belts and small purses

Other than things I mentioned, you might also come across wallets, old CDs, hats of all sorts. Pretty interesting I'd say! It's definitely a must-go if you are a vintage collector who is willing to splurge on beautiful pieces from yesteryear. However, some things may be slightly dirty/ faulty and require more maintenance. Nevertheless, this little store really has its charm!

Don't mind the iPhone 4 quality pictures, I tried my best!   

Chinatown Heritage Centre

48 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059207

Adult - $10/ Child - $6

chinatownheritagecentre.sg

Replica of Da Dong Tea House in the 50's/ 60's that has since reopened at a corner along Smith Street. 

I'm ashamed to admit...I don't really who I am despite living in Singapore close to two decades. Why are there so many immigrants? Why do Singapore enjoy religious harmony? To what foreigners regard as 'privilege', many Singaporeans (including me) take it for granted. History taught from the textbook was quickly forgotten after leaving secondary school. Nigel and I embarked on a mini journey in hopes to find out more about our roots at the Chinatown Heritage centre.

Replica of a chinese prostitute's room in the 50's, Singapore.

Many brothels sprouted along Pagoda street to cater to sinkehs (migrants) who were seeking for intimacy and affection. Of course, as a result that led to a widespread of sexually transmitted diseases. Healthcare was a huge problem for the sick.

A kitchen area there were shared among many families

In the past, people did not enjoy their own bathrooms and kitchen. Everyone had to share and disputes were unavoidable. Living conditions were cramped and stuffy... I was impressed that the museum even stuck a fake cockroach on the wall to replicate the past.

Peeking into a typical tailor shop in the past

People used to tailor their suits because factory made ones did not produce the same quality as compared to hand. There were 18 tailor shops lined along the same street in the past! A tailor was regarded as more affluent than other occupants in the same building. He had his own room, kitchen and air well.

Blouse - vintage | Skirt - Daniel Yam (second hand) | Blazer - G2000 | Socks - Daiso | Flats - Newlook

Photos by Nigel

I feel that the visit gave me a great explanation to how Singapore prospered from almost nothing, just migrants who worked for a better life. And to those of you who despise Chinese nationals, think again. Majority of the early migrants were all from different provinces of China, which simply means your ancestors were from China too.

The next time you run out of places to go in Singapore, I strongly urge y'all to see museums! Singapore has done a great job in making its museums informative, interactive and easy to understand. No harm learning more about the country you're residing in. You are likely to see Singapore in a different light afterwards. :)

Toughen Up

Giveaway status: Closed. An email has been sent to the winner :)

I will be giving away this Leatherette Skater Skirt to one reader. 
See details on how to participate at the end of this post.

Leatherette Skater Skirt - Dressabelle (also avail in burgundy, camel and navy)

Fashion repeats itself in a cycle. This fall, very gladly, the military trend is back. HUGE comeback. A glance at Zara and you'll notice camouflage prints, studs and leather. 

Three years ago, Rihanna looked tough as a lion with guns and helmets in her 'Hard' music video. Just recently, even Katy Perry was seen gearing up in 'Part of Me'. There is a certain appeal when women deck themselves in clothes that were once meant for tough men. 

Old army jacket & cotton tee both from Chatuchak, BKK

As a student, it is way beyond my budget to buy a brand new camo shirt with spiked shoulders. I found this second hand one for about $10. No fancy embellishment or other nonsense - keeping things classy and simple! I figured that embellished 'basics' tend to look outdated very quickly.

I love leather skirts so much and when it comes to those, the simpler the better. I love the way leather skirts stay structured as you move in them. This particular one I'm wearing is high-waisted with a hidden zip at the back. The leather skirt is probably going be worn a lot by me this fall! I can already picture in my head how great it'll look with blazers, denim jackets, wool knits and crisp white shirts... Possibilities are endless.

Soiree Silver heels - Jeffrey Cambell, purchased from www.ashburyskies.com (similar here)

I want to give one of you a piece of the leather skirt too! Now here's the catch:
Since I'm a night owl, I love spending late nights snuggling in bed with a good movie. Please recommend me some of your favourite movies!

Photos by JJ

How to participate in giveaway: 

1. Leave a comment below suggesting to me your favourite movie(s).

2. Remember to leave your email so that I can contact you.

3. Deadline: Thur, 11 Oct 2012, 11.59pm (GMT+08:00) 

Please note:
Giveaway open to Singapore residents only.
I will pick my favourite and notify you by Fri, 12 Oct 2012.
One comment is enough! 

"The Libertine"

I love shooting in the most rundown/ abandoned environments. With the help of people who can drive (thankfully), we explored the Sungei Gedong Camp where it's all old furniture, wild daisies. Perfect setting.

It really helps when a model is spontaneous and enthusiastic. For this particular shot above, Yan had to yell countless times before we could capture a perfect moment. So much emotion!

For the makeup, I concealed dark circles and blemishes then set the entire face with power. After sculpting his face contours lightly with bronzer, his eyebrows were filled fuller. For the eyes, it was just kohl pencil smudged with a cotton bud.

Yan, your eyes are smoldering!

Photographer: Lenne Chai
Model: Yan K (AVE)
Stylist: Venetia Sng
Makeup: Uli Chan
Hair: Mark Cheng
Photography assistant: Dallas Wong
Clothes: Mash-Up, Cult of Nine