Fi Fi the fashionable rabbit

I thought it wise to collect coffee table books, but I ended up with yet another fashion inspired book.

Remember the fashionable rabbit, Fi Fi?

Well, I finally decided to buy her debut book. There were tons of these books being stocked at Borders late last year; but when I finally got around to getting one - it was, well, the last in stock at Borders.

Peppered with fashion bites and cute drawings of Fifi, this book teaches you how to dress according to the seasons of fashion and trends - or blend it with your style.

I’m honestly surprise at how much this fashion bunny knows about the fashion world.

Here are some pictures from the fashionable bunny’s blog.

From sassy lady, to draped chiffon, to hello fusion.

Seriously, what is there not to like about her?

Photo Credits: Fifi-lapin

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.

Happy CNY

I know CNY is way over. But, it’s no secret that I’m bugged with work - my table is overflowing with paper!

So, here are snapshots of CNY.

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

Up North..

Would you believe me if I told you I had zero make-up on when I took this picture?

I had to. I don’t believe in sleeping with make-up on.

Oh I love the look of dawn. Very pretty.

And when it was bright and cheerful…

It’s time to celebrate!

I just realise, besides this photo, I didn’t take much during the day.

So let’s fast forward and enjoy the fireworks.

Huat ah!

Happy 400 - I heart Ferragamos

It’s my 400th post on this blog.

Wow, what a milestone. Every time I clock 100, I celebrate it with something special and lovely.

This post is no different.

xxx

I have a super duper soft spot for leather shoes. Since the end of 2009, I have resolved never to buy shoes that bite. Out goes PU shoes, in comes leather shoes.

1) I like my feet to be happy.

2) I like my shoes to go the distance with me.

3) I like the smell of fresh leather - it’s a strange fetish I’ve developed over the years (GAH).

Since then, I’ve only broken the rule once. I purchased a stylish PU suede bootie from Charles & Keith. Had to hunt it down in Raffles place for they were sold out island wide in less than a week!

Anyways…

Since that resolution in 2010, I’ve developed a softie heart for Ferragamos!

This lad started my obsession with the comfy shoes.

I bought them on sale 3 seasons back. They were half size larger and I had to get my shoe maker to fill in with padding. The padding made the shoes so comfy, I practically lived in them for all my formal functions.

I’ve worn them to all my friends’ wedding dinners. It’s amazing how comfy they are judging that they add a cool 10cm to my height. All the other stilettos that I own - leather or not - makes the ball of my feet burn.

So during the last season’s sale, I woke up really early and headed for the annual sale.

My heart skipped many beats. I secured all the shoes that I’ve been eying all season!

My sister got this pair as well. We love nude shoes. They are so versatile.

Nudes are the new blacks.

Adding a pop of colour is this pair of mustard heels. The plastic that you see peeking from the sole is rubber padding. A tip that I picked up from my shoe maker.

But my favourite buy at that sale, has got to be this…

Paired with friendship band from Phuket. And my black tulle skirt from Japan.

Nude flats; in my size!!!!! I was so lucky.

Another girl wanted the same pair in the same size. She had spotted the pair before I did; but her SA got her a size bigger. My SA was quick - actually my sister was quicker and told the SA we wanted the pair in our size - and out she came with the correct size. There was only one pair.

Voila! It was love at first sight.

Tick tick tick. When will the spring sale happen?

xxx

Lots of hugs and kisses to all my readers who have made my day many times over. =)

Valentino

He is truly a legend and a visionary.

For $9, I got to see the best of his works.

Remarkable.

The first piece that caught my eye, was this flora motif silk dress. It is as relevant today as it was in 1966.

On the same note, Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding gown was completed with the same simplicity and chicness.

Due to Jacqueline’s highly publicised wedding, Valentino became an overnight hit with the international media.

A women dressed in black and white is for me a sort of sign, a writing, a calligraphy - Valentino.

Now, I was swooning over this gown worn by Julia Roberts.

Call it the chase for the perfect silhouette. The back of Julia’s dress draw’s one attention to the arch of the back. That’s really sexy.

With the same designer instinct to bring out the best in women, this yellow dress worn by Cate Blanchett tugged the heart-strings of many.

Speaking about colour. Red is Valentino’s signature.

Stunning.

The detailing is impeccable.

Likewise for this thoroughly embellished black-and-white dress.

I did say impeccable right? Can you imagine painstakingly stitching every single bead onto this dress?

It would probably take me 5 years to get this right. Or maybe a lifetime?

Gorgeous, gorgeous.

Moving on deeper into the gallery.

Valentino was truly a man before his time.

This was made in 1961? It’s so Old Hollywood glamour.

And this little black dress? 1961.

Seriously this man deserves the praises he is given.

And what better way to end the gallery with my favourite dress. This was made in 1959. Can you believe that?

BS: Prep yourself for the countdown!

So you are a week away from the great partying down to 2011 and your skin is still recovering from the crazy Christmas partying with booze and what not.

I’ve conjured up a list of beauty wonders that will stretch its dollar to prepare you in time for the big night of the year. All the products mentioned here are products that I’ve personally tried and tested… And simply can’t stop raving about.

Note: I’ve combination skin that is slightly sensitive and relatively thin.

It’s all about the Eyes..

Early December, I passed by Lancaster’s counter in light of getting its Skin Therapy. On a whim, I decided to give its eye serum a try. After all, our beauty queen of Caldecott Hill, Fann Wong, is a long time user of Lancaster.

Within three days of using this serum, I was sold.

My fine lines were less obvious. My skin felt more plumped. Despite using a generous amount - you really don’t have to, just one pump is enough - no oil seed formed.

I don’t like the orange packaging, but I do like that it’s small and handy to bring with you. And the application is easy. Just pump and pat.

As this is a serum, you can use it with your regular eye cream. I pair mine with my all time favourite eye cream is Laneige’s dual eye cream. I previously wrote a review and I’m still a huge fan of it. The result was noticeable.

Now one of my major find this Christmas season is an incredible concealer.

The Amazing Concealer.

This is one of Hollywood’s best kept secrets and honestly, thank God the secret is out.

I’ve heard tons and tons of good review on this baby, and decided to get it at Sephora. I got the tiny tube as the bigger tube was sold out. But never mind that, it is a good travel size.

One tiny minuscule drop is all you need to cover the eyes. Mind you, a small small small drop is all you really need.

What I love about it is that it is non-drying. I think that it is absolutely important for eye concealer as a drying concealer, even if it covers well, will cake and cause fine lines to be more obvious.

After an entire day out at sea - I courageously took it to trial at the salty sea at Phuket - snorkel and all. It was surprisingly intact!

But I have to add that method of applying the concealer is crucial. You need to tap in the concealer slowly. Start from the bottom part of the dark eye circle and pat the concealer upwards. This would ensure an even look.

I’m rather fair and I use golden light.

It’s the Glow in your the Face…

I’m not a great believer that only expensive products work well.

Face masks by My Beauty Diary is a case in point.

It retails for $14.50 for 10 packs. So that makes it to be $1.45 per use. If you use this 5 days a week for a month, it adds up to be $29 a month. Cheaper than going for facial.

The best seller is the black pearl mask, which is unfortunately almost always out of stock.

Personally, I love their Q10, red wine and birds’ nest mask more. My skin looks fairer and dewy after each application.

Another plus point of my Beauty Diary is that it has slits at the side to make the mask fit well on the face.

Now this last product is a current favourite of mine. It is relatively low-key in Singapore and is advertised through word of mouth.

Agediscuss by Soigne, CP Cosmetics. CP Cosmetics is the beauty arm of Sony. The company that is famed for producing cameras and laptops.

What this does is that it lifts the face, making it taunt and slimmer. True to its word, I saw a difference within a week. Do remember to follow the suggested application process to increase its potential.

CP Cosmetics is solely sold at Face Bistro. I do love their service. For one, I have to thank my beautician for saving me from my agonising break-out days, when my dermatologist couldn’t.

Another fabulous product to try is Aquafit. I practically lived it in for two years to rectify the damage that the tropical sun had caused.

I hope you are ready to party!

Meet Miss Vintage CC

When I go shopping, I love lugging my sister with me; whenever I am about to buy something on impulse, she will talk me out of it with her “if you don’t buy this, you can save up to buy a Chanel” - and that probably stopped me from impulsively splurging like 1,000,000 times.

Ever since I started work in Jan’09, I have invested in 2 Chanel bags. I know what you’re thinking. How on earth did I manage to buy 2 Chanel bags within a year given that I’m not a lawyer or a banker, but just an average fresh graduate.

Beats me.

But, lo-and-behold. These 2 babies have really been a great investment. I purchased my 2.55 a month before the price hike, saving me at least $500. I am also thankful that I grabbed it before the craze started. As for my East-West, it was a 2nd hand buy from my sister - she was investing in another Chanel piece and wanted to sell it to a dealer - ha! Grabbed it before that dealer had a lucky find!

And now, introducing my 3rd love. Meet my first vintage Chanel. And probably my first vintage item…

Miss quilted classic flap in bronze lambskin and gold hardware. She was produced in the 90s and must have been owned by a careful buyer, because she is in such pristine condition, she looks absolutely new!

The best Christmas present that my sister has ever bought me! Love, love, love.

What’s in the dust bag?

Mmm, CC spotted! It’s vintage. Note the CC embossed on the lock. Newer bags don’t have these anymore.

Voila. Ain’t it gorgeous? I love it. Look at the sheen. Can’t believe this baby is more than 10 years old!

Another look at this baby. I’ve never owned a lambskin before, so I’m a bit wary of how to baby it. After all, I never did baby my 2,55 or East West.

And for now, meet the current family of CC bags.

Love the dose of colour. Thanks sister! Perhaps one day I ought to take photos of my sister’s entire CC bag collection. She has more than I have.

For now, I’m crossing my fingers to add one more to the collection.

Blessed Christmas folks!

Shall upload a recipe soon!

Chanel Cruise Collection 2010

Chanel Cruise Collection is ready in stores.

The accessories collection seems to draw its inspiration from the Byzantine times.

Unfortunately, I’m more incline to my Asian roots, so this season’s accessories collection didn’t speak as boldly to me as their Fall collection’09 where they included Jade into the accessories.

But, here are some pieces from the collection for you to oogle at.

The bangles:

The necklaces:

The earrings:

But the bags, they are screaming my name…

I like their small leather goods as well.

The copper blue is a definite hot seller.

Animal Prints

On Saturday, I squeezed in some time to browse TopShop’s new collection. I was instantly attracted to this animal printed tee. The moment I grabbed it off the shelve I was like, “Woah… What has gotten into you Val? 10 Years ago, you would have said that this reminded you of garish aunties who heart their leopard prints.”

Shucks, does that mean… I have aged? How horrifying!

A week ago, I was still dissing my sister’s strange passion for stripes and plaits. Gosh, the sailor stripes is as passe as balloon skirts. Someone please tell the fashion house to stop making pretty dresses ugly by putting elastics at the hem! It annoys me so. I have something against plaits too so I told my sister to quit wearing plaits to avoid looking 10 years older or to risk being mistaken for being a farmer.

Anyway, in less than a minute after grabbing the tee, I convinced myself that the look will be alright, as long as I matched it with skinny jeans and swing my 2.55. Just do not pair them up with clashing tights or leopard prints.

Alas, the material and the cut of the tee could not convince me to part with my money.

So it went back to the shelf. But for now…. Doesn’t the other printed tees look fabulous?

Alright, I’ll compromise… I think this Tee on the left is the winner. After the surge in interest with Coco Chanel. It seems that motifs with Paris prints is back in fashion once more.

Pair it with tights and rock it with high heel boots. Throw on studded bangles.

Now that’s a look I really like.

Christmas Buys

Christmas is my favourite time of the year.

I’ve bought all my cards, have thought about what I’m going to give to my friends this year, and am in the process of planning parties.

Christmas is also a fantastic time for self-indulgent, as all merchants flood you with their Christmas specials.

I simply heart Shu Uemura and their Tsumori Chisato collection. Love the cute kitty.

I was also pretty tempted to stock up on some body shop gems. I have this thing about buying their hand wash. And their Christmas limited edition hand wash seems so divine.  They even have it in almond!

And I really love their body butter. Although I have to say I use it quite differently from most people. I pamper my feet with them. My favourite is grape fruit.

And let’s check out one of my favourite have-it-all store, Muji…

The recycled kimono collection makes good presents for friends.

Moving along to fashion bites, Miss Self Fridge stocks up on some awesome clothes. Where fierce and girly chic mix.

But this Christmas what I really want to stock up on….

Are these…

From Nars:

Their blush in Orgasm, concealer brush, and small domed eye or eye contour brush.

On the lighter note, I was rather tickled that Nars actually came up with this gift set.

From Jill Stuart:

I hope that the perfume smells as nice as it looks. And the blusher simply oozes cuteness.