Haji Lane Finds

Remember my rants about Haji Lane just the other day?

God must have been listening.

A new series of shops sprung out from no where!

Blue maxi tube dress. C’est chic. One can never have one too many of maxis.

Pink cut-out top. Gold studded faux leather bracelet for a statement. I love feminine punk jewellery.

White tulle skirt. I’ve a fetish for tulle skirts. I have them in black, white and cream. It started long before Black Swan. It’s pretty difficult to find one whose folds and lace are just the right fit and length. This was purchased at a cool 30% off!

So glad that I decided to give Haji another go.

Urban Decay Primer Potion

I’m always game to experiment new beauty products to satisfy my beauty fixes.

Another must-have make-up item in my cosmetic pouch is Urban Decay’s Eden eyeshadow primer potion.

For about a year, I’ve countered my oily eye-lids with Smashbox’s Photo Finish Lid Primer. It did help to hold my eye make-up till noon and prevented creasing. Unfortunately, given Singapore’s tropical and humid weather, my eyeshadow always runs by evening time.

Late last year, I pondered if I should purchase Smashbox or I should give Urban Decay a try. After reading a long list of reviews on Urban Decay versus Smashbox, I thought “Heck, let’s just give Urban Decay a shot.”

I purchased Eden - the eyeshadow primer created for oily eyelids.

Pure genius I have to say.

Eden is slightly oily in texture and takes some time to apply. It is best to apply generously over the lids and smoothen the texture evenly. I do like the tilted wand - it makes application that much friendlier. After application, I like to add an eyeshadow base and a dash of colour. Amazingly, the colour stays on till mid-day and requires an optional touch-up for a night out, whilst the eyeshadow base holds on till nightfall.

Retailing for just over $30, it helps my eyeshadow go the distance. And for that I’m grateful.

Urban Decay Primer Potion can be purchased from Sephora. It comes in 3 different formula. Original, Sin and Eden. I personally have not tried original as the SA told me that Eden is better for people with oily lids. Sin is a little shimmery.

Nails dripping with pearls

Meet Black Pearl and Pearl Drop - Chanel’s latest nail colour.

Inspired by Coco Chanel’s love for pearls.

I have to be frank. As much as I love to wear white pearls strung, applying Pearl Drop on my nails was a tricky affair. As you can tell, it is sort of a little streaky and unevenly painted. The shine wasn’t very obvious as well.

However, I did feel like a princess for 3 days - till I decided I had enough of chipping polish.

Perhaps, it’s just that I prefer goth.

I had little qualms with Black Pearl.

I had no trouble painting these on my nails. 5 days on and it still looks good!

Initially hesitant, I’m falling in love with the colour. It does look like black pearls - slightly teal grey with hints of blue-green. It looks very good paired with a white top and heels.

The nail polish retails for $36 at the respective Chanel make-up shops.

Desire to Inspire

I do make it a point to only upload photos that I snap, those taken by close friends or catalogue photos from boutiques.

But I really have to say… these are just too gorgeous…

I wish my house looked like that!

Or this!

But knowing that I can’t exactly live in the minimalistic way.

I think the closest I can model after… Is this.

So very pretty.

All photos are taken from Desire to Inspire.

The tale of the sleeping beauty

I admit that I’ve been getting too engrossed in shopping for my wardrobe of late.

So I decided to balance it out by indulging my nerdy side in a book spree.

My favourite bookshop has got to be Kinokuniya. Besides having the occasional delicious GWP for their Japanese mooks and magazines - remember the Paul & Joe mook - Kinokuniya is smart enough to stock up on odd books for its readers.

Well, I can’t say that I did suppress my fashion side during the hour at the bookshop.

Guess what I found on the shelves?

Christian LaCroix’s and the tale of sleeping beauty.

I couldn’t flip through the book for it was shrink-wrapped. But given that it was the last copy on the shelves I decided to take a leap of faith and purchased it. Hooray for the 20% off.

When I got home, I gingerly unwrapped the plastic.

Into page 10, I still couldn’t figure out which part was written / illustrated by LaCroix or Morton. I, however, was rather amused with the unique illustration. It’s like Picasso mixed with fashion. Or Alice in Wonderland gone arty. The illustrations contrasted beautifully with the haunting rendition of the original classic.

Due to copyright issues, I can’t reveal to you all the artworks in the book. But I shall leave you with just this one to let you have a taste of the whimsical drawings.

Incredible, you say?

Christian LaCroix’s the tale of the sleeping beauty can be purchased exclusively at Kinokuniya.

Prada Meets Reebonz

If you hadn’t already known, Reebonz is a very addictive website.

I like browsing Reebonz to drool at all the eye candy. And boy, are they extremely good looking eye candy. Some days, I feel like I’m a hunter prowling for good catch. When the opportunity comes, I pounce on it.

For the past 6 months, I’ve been on the prowl for pretty little clutches.

A Prada clutch to be exact.

Like these…

Pictures from Bluefly.com: Pretty little things. Purple is a great colour; pink for good measure.

I first saw it in 2009, subsequently on Reebonz, and then in the shop.

Retailing for SGD530, it seems like a good investment piece from Prada. After all, the rest of their bags are ridiculously overpriced - for Nylon that is! I once mentioned to my sister, that amongst all the luxury brand, Prada is the smartest. They are earning big bucks from Nylon bags.

Since I’ve been ogling at this clutch for so long, why haven’t I gotten around to securing one? Well, it seems that the $100 discount on Reebonz was too great a lure for a lot of women in Singapore; I was ousted by all the fast clickers many many times throughout the past 6 months. So Prada-Clutchless, the prowl continued.

Fast forward to 6 months, Reebonz launched their Unbelievable Prada sale, I frantically browsed through it to check if they had my clutch. I do think that there were probably a lot of excited women, as the website took forever to load. One silly mistake later, I was put on the wait-list! The agony I tell you. But, 5 minutes of frantic clicking later, I emerged victorious from the tough fight with all the other women!

Say hello to my silk Prada clutch. =)

Off the Reebonz webby.

And in real life.

PS: I never knew, but Singapore’s Prada outlet does not carry the silk version. They only carry the Nylon version.

If you aren’t a member yet, and really wanna check, go to my link read here.

Laneige Renew Perfect Trial Kit

I have been a huge fan of Laneige since 3 years back. I can’t emphasise more that I’m a long time user of their dual eye-cream. It’s really difficult to find an eye cream that really works. The dual eye-cream doesn’t eradicate the fine lines entirely, but it does help to slow the process quite substantially.

Cutting straight to the chase…

Picture: Laneige SG Facebook

I’m totally delighted that Laneige relaunched their ever so popular renew perfect trial kit!!!! I lost out in the Christmas edition, so I’m jumping for joy that I was so lucky to have spotted this trial kit at Takashimaya this afternoon.

The trial kit retails for $39. It comes with sample size of the perfect renew range. I purchased it for the mini eye cream container. Finally I can bring my favourite eye cream on my travels!

If you have been hesitating to purchase Laneige’s eye cream, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try.  =)

Earrings Trove

Some collect antique, other collects cars.

I collect jewellery.

I’m a squishy jelly when it comes to accessories.

It all began when I was in secondary school. Being heavily influenced by rock music, I was kind of geared towards the bohemian mix with a pinch of punk - an odd mix you might say.

I loved anything with a touch of ethnic; it must be unique.

Over the years, I’ve collected many one-of-a-kind pieces.

Some treasures from my trove.

Way before Slumdog Millionaire hit the screen.

Indie inspired earrings.

Missing some glass findings make this piece quite a character. Purchased it in a shop along Haji Lane. The shop owner told me that it was made by a local designer. Unfortunately, the shop has since closed down. I’ll never find out who the designer is.

Juxtaposition.

Made by Woon Hung.

I’m not one who love simple beaded earrings. After all, unique is the word I go for. It’s either exquisite design or semi-precious stones. So I thought it odd that I was that attracted to this seemingly simple pair of earrings. Over the years I’ve cleared a lot of fashion accessories that I’ve outgrown, but this has stayed in my trinket box. The second bead is dark red more than black.

Would you be my sweetheart?

Handmade silver earrings in Korea with crystal beads.

Purchased on a whim at a cart in City Hall when I was still in University. Being a poor student, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to splurge on this $50 earrings. I’m glad I did. This has fast become my favourite pair for girly days - it goes with everything! It also compliments the shape of my face.

Lemon drop at the Flea.

Peridot on gold filled earrings.

I’ve always loved browsing at Flea markets. It’s a great way to meet new talented jewellery makers. Purchased this at one of the artsy flea market. It was on sale at $50.

Since these good old days, I’ve moved on to collecting designer jewellery - explains the growing CC collection! Blame it on the lack of time to shop, but I just don’t browse in Flea markets anymore. But, once in a while, I’ll catch myself drooling at new babies from promising designers.

So what is in your earrings trove? =)

It’s girls’ day out at Haji

Friday, I had an early day off from work.

It has been such a long time since I’ve been to Haji lane. So much has changed, yet it draws much crowd on a lazy afternoon.

I took my current best pal. Ms 10 C.

Pretty little lady ain’t she?

Well, 1 hour into the window shopping, I have to say I’m a little sad that so many of the good ol’ stores have since closed down. What was left, is a cluster of shops for the young artsy crowd. I’ve nothing against funky tees, clashing coloured bottoms and strange looking prints, but I really do miss the shops that carried unique classy designer pieces.

But what rubbed me the wrong way, was the growing number of eateries that cater to shisha. Having a very sensitive nose, the smell almost drove me half nuts!

I was pretty happy with one shop - Salad. And it remains to be one of my favourite shops in Singapore. Minimalism peppered with coziness. It is a window to great shopping for clothes and home decor.

What I wore: Chanel CC earrings, Ms 10 C, Bysi Top, Uniqlo jeans.

Paul & Joe Mook

It has been a while.

I haven’t purchase much Japanese magazines of late, because their GWP ain’t enticing! But the latest Paul & Joe mook made me break the fast.

The print is very spring summer. So apt.

The print ain’t everyone’s cup of tea though. I overheard a lady commenting that the flora print is too big. Well, I think that it’s just right for such a large bag. It does get boring if all the prints in this world are tiny and cutesy.

It’s a pretty large bag.

I have to say that I’m impressed by the quality of this bag. It’s waterproof and the inner stitching ain’t obvious - unlike most GWP bags. It feels pretty luxe for a mook bag.

The inner compartment is a pretty pink.

Overall, a great purchase. =)