Balenciaga

I didn't know what I was getting into when I bought my first ever Balenciaga. Aptly, it was the First ;P in fuschia no less. I fell deeply in love and there has been no turning back since.

Anyway, I was glad I gave it a second chance. Many of you may still remember my encounter with the Giant Balenciaga City with the super heavy hardware. I thought that was the end of it, but how could I resist such a cute colour as fuschia? LOL.

So ... I bought it. And I've been loving it ever since. I tote it almost every single weekend. The size is perfect n the weight, not overwhelming.



When the Balenciaga City came along, I just thought I needed a work bag. Being the practical person that I am, I thought Anthracite was a lovely colour for everyday esp WORK days, plus the size was just rite! And it wasn't too heavy. And the price was a steal for a full leather bag ... you get my drift.

So, here I am today, on my way to get my 3rd B baby: the Part Time in Sahara.



My family is growing.

*Photos courtesy of Balenciaga.com


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Now playing: Ra. D - Jesus Loves me (Groovy RMX) (feat. 조수아, Hena)
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The days have been getting longer lately, with the sunset getting later each day. Temperature is inching up and I'm longing for icy fruity smoothies.

Got this in my mailbox today. What a wonderful way to start a new season .... by shopping! LOL. Looking forward to summer :)

Ten Tips for Successful Summer Casual Dressing

If you are interested in building an affordable and practical casual wardrobe this season, read on! These ten tips are designed to be your road map. Use them to bring focus to your shopping and organization to your closet:

#1 Think About Lifestyle.
Before you shop, jot down the casual activities you like doing and the clothes that make you feel your best doing them. Getting focused ahead of time about the types of clothes and accessories you actually need to build a functional casual wardrobe will keep you on track at the store.

#2 Determine Your Retail Sizing.
Many women settle for less than a perfect fit, especially with their casual clothing. Taking the time to know your correct size — petite, missy, plus or some combination — will make creating a look that fits and flatters easier. Yes, even sweat suits can fit you well and make you feel good!

#3 Pick Your Base Neutrals.
Black, white, khaki, navy and stone are good warm weather neutrals and mix and match well with a variety of brighter colors and prints.

#4 Bottoms Up.
Focus on bottoms first — pants, shorts, Capris, skirts and jeans. Once you are happy with these selections, add a minimum of three tops for each.

#5 Pick a Signature Color.
To further simplify your wardrobe, consider accenting base neutrals with one hue that you love. Stock up on tops, bags, shoes and other accessories in the same shade of this color and you will get many looks with fewer pieces than you ever imagined — promise!

#6 Know Your Fabrics.
For extra ease and comfort in the warmer weather, opt for machine washable, non-iron looks so you can grab, pack and go.

#7 Layer Effectively.
Tees, camisoles, shirts, sweaters and jackets can be combined in a myriad of ways to give you climate control and a polished appearance.

#8 Connect the Dots.
Pay attention to buttons, zippers, stitching and other details on clothes and accessories as you assemble your outfits. Typically, it takes a minimum of three similar metals, colors or other details to pull a look together.

#9 Tie It All Together With Casual Outerwear.
Wraps and rain & shine coats are a necessity for challenging weather and chilly nights, even in the summer. You enjoy all your clothes more when you take the time to think through your outerwear options. Make sure casual outfits are included in this thought process.

#10 Check Out At the Store, Check In With Your Closet.
Before you snip the tags, be sure what you buy complements what you already own. Promptly return anything that is an extra or doesn't make you feel your personal best.

Last Word

Casual clothes help you celebrate everyday moments and should be treated with as much thought and attention as the rest of your wardrobe. There is nothing casual about planning ahead so that you look and feel your personal best no matter the dress code for the days ahead this season!


Source: dressingwell.com

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Now playing: Spicy Soda - 나에 곁으로
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost

Thanks to Aichaku and the generous Coleen @ Dunbar Jones, I've the opportunity to try out the new Neutrogena Hydro Boost.

I received a package last week containing a press release and the Hydro Boost range of products, which includes the Hydro Boost Mousse Cleanser, Hydro Boost Clear Lotion, Hydro Boost Essence, Hydro Boost Water Gel and Hydro Boost Mask. Haven't had the opportunity to try it out nor review it as yet as work and life in general has a way of just, well, having their own way. Lol.

This is the write-up from the press release. I am highly tempted to try this due to the high concentration of hyaluronic acid.

"With dehydration being one of the main causes of premature aging, Singapore women will now be able to give their skin an intensive hydration boost with the launch of Neutrogena's latest range, Neutrogena Hydro Boost. Featuring its innovative Progressive Release System, Hydro Boost not only releases moisture steadily into skin for continuous all-day hydration but also addresses the root causes of inner skin dryness.

Combining advanced hydrating elements that replenishes and repairs skin from within,
Hydro Boost protects skin from the damaging effects of air-conditioning, late nights and the harsh rays of the sun, resulting in smoother, supple skin.

The unique formulation contains highly purified hyaluronic acid which absorbs up to 1,000 times its weight in water and releases it into skin steadily over time, and olive extract, derived from highly purified olive oil, which effectively rebuilds skin's natural moisture shield, preventing moisture loss. Dermatologist tested, its oil-free and non-comedogenic formulation is also instantly absorbed into the skin and hydrates with a non-greasy feel.


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Now playing: Tae Yeon - Like a fool
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HMV in Shibuya

Had the opportunity to visit Tokyo past couple of weeks. Couldn't resist popping into the HMV at Shibuya, if only to see if the Japanese people really like Korean music (or the hallyu wave, they call it) as much as I've been reading abt it online.

I realised HMV has a very good collection of K-pop and are really up-to-date with what's on the scene at the moment.

Take a look ... ...

Btw, I think Tohoshinki/DBSK/东方神起 is really hot in Japan. They've a whole display devoted to them (that's one whole wall of peraphernalia) and 1 whole row of shelves. Whew.

PS: Pls DO NOT hotlink the photos. Thank you.

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Listening to: Bach - Violin Concerto in E major (BWV 1042) - Processional: Bach - Strings. WEDDING MUSIC. WORLDWIDE PUBLIC DOMAIN. S.I. PUBLISHING (SOCAN).
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Lovely presents (part 2)

Met up wif Mag over lunch the other day. It was a last min thingy (thanks for calling Mag!) n I'm glad we had the chance to lunch together. Spent the time gabbing abt K-dramas n stuff we'd read online. Mag is a really vivacious person yet thoughtful at the same time. We've to do lunch some time again, Mag!

Mag also gifted me with a package of goodies. My goodness, that's a lot of things. Can't wait to try them out ;)

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Now playing: 장근석 - Good Bye
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Lovely presents (part 1)

Haven't been updating for a while as things were getting intense at work and I was on an overseas trip last week.

However, I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out to the lovely ladies who had gifted me with their presence over lunch and dinner and the wonderful presents they gave me.

Met up with Yumeko, Mag & Haru for dinner some time in Mar when Yumeko was in town for a work/play trip. It was a fun evening of laughter n catching up. Really enjoyed myself tremendously. It's always great to gather wif lovely ladies who are beautiful, inside and out :) Let's get together again soon!

This was a pretty nifty and sweet package from Yumeko. It's soo pretty, I've yet to use it. Still in the admiring stage kekeke ;)

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Listening to: Lisa Ono 小野リサ - All Of Me
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Dinner

2 of my favourite dishes: tofu cooked claypot style and long beans fried with minced meat & a bean-paste type of thingy.

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Listening to: Scouting for Girls - She's so Lovely
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Skin food

I've been trying to eat healthy these days. Since the detox thingy, thought it would be a good thing if I'd persevere for a while.

So far, have been taking more veggies and water. I find Korean food is good for this ;) Loads of veggies and I really love kimchi. This is from a dinner recently.

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Now playing: Ra. D - Goodbye (Original mix)
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Let's detox Day 5

Today's the 5th & final day of my 1 (work) week experiment. I think we (my colleagues & I) outdid ourselves in the salad department. But more on that later.

There were more meetings in the morning, so I grabbed a quick roti-prata with onions and egg. Roti-prata is a kind of Indian fried pancake made from dough; when made really well, it's an interesting mix of crispy and chewy textures all in one. You can add eggs or veggies or even meat to it. In my case, I like it with onions & an egg :)

Lunch was late today after that hearty breakfast but it was all worth it. Here're the pics which I managed to shoot before the gobbling began ^^

All in all, I think this was a pretty good week. I didn't expect to see much difference as I really did not make that much changes to my diet. However, my pants were loose at the end of the week and I feel more alert in the afternoons than if I'd had a 'normal' lunch. Don't think I could do this for the long term tho as it would require more effort and commitment than this beanie want to put in. Maybe once a week?

Happy weekend!!


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Listening to: Lisa Ono 小野リサ - I Got Rhythm
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Let's detox Day 4

If there's going to be any falling off the bandwagon on any diet, I guess today is the day.

Was out running about for some meetings in the morning and didn't have the time to think carefully about my food choices. Do I feel guilty or upset? Surprisingly, no, I don't.

I think it's a gd break for me from the routine that I've been having the past 3 days. It also made me realise that wat we eat requires careful planning & effort, much as we would manage our makeup/beauty routines, finances or pretty much else in our lives.

I was at a breakfast meeting, so couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab some finger sandwiches that were beckoning to me on the many trays laid out in the buffet area ;P I had a salmon sandwich, a cucumber & cheese one, 1 turkey breast one and even a peanut butter wif cream cheese one. Yum *drool, slurp, heh*

Lunch was at a food court near the meeting venue. The place was packed but there was no queue for the fried prawn noodles, so how could I resist? Fried prawn noodles it was, all washed down with a nice warm cup of milk tea. I don't usually eat fried prawn noodles as it's not easy to get nicely cooked ones. I'm glad to report: this plate was worth all the calories ^^

Mad rush today, can't wait to get back to wholemeal bread tomorrow!


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Now playing: Jang Geun Seok - 들리나요 Part 2
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Let's detox Day 3

It's the middle of the week and I think I'm starting to get the hang of this ;) My stomach is getting used to the low-fat or almost non-fat lunch. Tummy doesn't feel bloated after lunch time plus I don't get the afternoon drowsies much as I used to.

Breakfast today was just a glass of green apple juice as I wasn't hungry and work was getting busy. Lunch as usual: 2 slices wholemeal bread; lettuce & nuts wif apple cider-honey dressing; and a egg done sunny side up. Yums!

I've to be out of the office for some meetings tomorrow tho, so may not be able to do lunch as I would like to but let's see how things go. Wish me luck! ^^


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Listening to: 김종국 - 사랑스러워
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Let's detox Day 2

And we're in Day 2.

Breakfast today is a glass of fresh squeezed green apple juice. I'm fortunate: there's a fruit store near the office which sells fresh & cheap juice. Yummilicious ^^ I also brought a peanut butter & cheese sandwich from home. Here it is in all its uneaten glory ;P

Lunch:
Aaack, again I was too quick to gobble things down, hence no photos, sorry! But here's what I ate -

• 2 slices wholemeal bread
• Scrambled eggs (wif chilli sauce from McD's for seasoning ;P)
• Lettuce wif apple cider & honey dressing
• Some nuts & raisins
  

I think my stomach have started adjusting to this diet. I'm not as hungry as I was on Day 1. In fact, it took a bit of effort for me to finish the sandwich. I wasn't fervently praying for dinner to be here soon, though I was famished by 6pm.

Here's looking to Day 3!

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Listening to: Bach - Air on G
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Let's detox Day 1

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for like, ages ... Had a case of skin sensitivities (which I thot I'd never see again but well, never say never) n had to pare my skincare routine down to a bare monastic minimal.

What with the Chinese Lunar New Year & birthdays & celebrations n this n that, I've been eating like a famine is imminent and I'd better store some food, hiaks hiaks. Was chatting wif my colleagues abt this last week: one thing led to another, before I knew it, I was "enrolled" in a one week detox diet with the rest of the ladies.

Our plan is simple: lunch on 2 slices of wholemeal bread for 5 days. Sandwich fillings can include:

• loads of veggies (no dressing except balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil or something along these lines), 
• no meat, maybe tuna (in brine, mind you, oil is a no-no) or 
• eggs.

So, today is day 1 :) I forgot to take photos of my lunch cos I was too busy stuffing my face. But it was gd. On today's menu:

• 2 slices wholemeal bread, 
• 1 piece egg omelette (courtesy of a colleague who woke up early), 
• loads of iceberg lettuce wif balsamic vinaigrette & honey dressing 
• a tablespoon of mashed avocado as a spread.

My ... I can't wait for dinner ... LOL.

To keep me on the straight and narrow, I shall start listing down my entire day's food intake from Day 2. Fingers' crossed, let's hope this works!


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Now playing: 이홍기 (Lee Hong Ki) - 여전히 (Still)
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