graveyards.

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Every summer during our return to Ireland, our extended family always makes it a point to visit our beloved Auntie Kitty, who is peacefully buried in the little town of Cahir, Tipperary. I took loads of photos of this remarkably beautiful place this summer, so I could look back and relive those divine, obligation-free summer days at my leisure.

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Somehow I can’t find the right words to describe what we actually do when we’re visiting Auntie Kitty, because for that one afternoon, the hustle and bustle of life seems to evaporate entirely, leaving us astounded and somewhat dazed at the tranquil environment encapsulating us. We pack a small picnic in Granny’s picnic basket, and we dine amidst the damp grass in the shade of willowy trees. Dappled shadows smother the ground on which we laze, and a clear river trickles down from the mountains beside us.

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I have the fondest memories of this beautiful place; frolicking for endless hours in the adjacent sun-drenched fields (Irish weather seems to cooperate with us when it comes to Auntie Kitty!) and tumbling around atop hay rolls. There’s no better feeling than letting go and being a child again, even just for a day.

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Auntie Kitty couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful resting place next to her brother, and the little tradition of us going to see her once a year is something I hope will never cease. I believe Auntie Kitty is still alive in all of our hearts; busying herself in the kitchen baking her signature delicacies, or perched in an armchair, knitting us our very own winter woollies. Her scone recipes have lived on in all our kitchens, and her legacy of faith and indescribable zest for life is well ingrained in all of us. As Dad says, "the cold weather was what kept Auntie Kitty alive for so long.”
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harper's bazaar fashion film festival.

Although the term "festival" doesn't exactly describe the four-day movie marathon held by Harper's Bazaar Singapore, it was certainly a very enjoyable experience. From October 26-30, a total of 10 fashion films were showcased around theatres in Singapore. Now we're not talking about anything mainstream, so forget "The Devil Wears Prada" and "The September Issue." All the films were shown only once or twice, making this experience even more special and exclusive. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend one of these movie-screenings; a homegrown, privately produced set of footage called "Signe Chanel." 


Signe Chanel is only one of writer/director Loic Prigent's many achievements. In fact, most of the other films in the Festival were created and produced by him, such as "The Day Before" series, which provide a compact insight into the dynamic world and artistic process of a designer and his brand; one day before a big fashion show. Loic Prigent's work is so artisanal and poignant, and the innocence of a small camera crew and simple graphics adds such charm to his short films. He has an extraordinary talent for capturing the lives of designers at work through his lens, as well as subtly hinting the brutal honesty of what really goes on underneath the glamour and sterility of the catwalk. Some of Prigent's other films include "The Day Before" of Donatella Versace, Alexander Wang, Jean Paul Gaultier and Proenza Schouler, as well as a seperate documentary about Marc Jacobs, the first American director at Louis Vuitton.

Signe Chanel was the most interesting, enthralling movie. There was no storyline; it was so beautifully unstructured that it almost seemed to wander around and loiter here and there, moseying through the intricate world of a Haute Couture House. It illustrated Chanel's perfect preservation of their heritage and of their age-old traditions with such stunning simplicity, and I can't tell you how much my heart melted to see the plump french seamstresses singing and busying themselves in their attic workshop in France, the place they've called home for decades. It was thoroughly refreshing to see the world's most exclusive, beautiful clothing coming to life in the caring hands of talented individuals, as opposed to being replicated thousands of times by machines, packed up and shipped to all corners of the world. 


As much as the movie touched me with it's primitive nature and abundance of creativity, it also demonstrated the stark contrast between the limited, rural production of the clothing, and the fast-paced, glittering craziness of the fashion industry. I found it very hard to believe that the Karl Lagerfeld who sat down in the workshops and advised the seamstresses is the same person who frequently flocks back to his front row perch at every fashion show you can possibly name. Although he is by all means a creative genius, he's much too reserved and secretive for my liking, much like Anna Wintour. Well, you know what they say about the true artists of our world: they're all tortured souls.


Much love, pumpkins.

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xoxo, gossip girl.

I can't believe I just started watching this show, seriously, I've missed out on SO much.

After torrenting the first four seasons in an attempt to get myself hooked on something other than Pretty Little Liars, I'm halfway through the first season and I think I'm enjoying myself far too much. I'm so wrapped up in the decadent lives of Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen, and watching them strut on the streets of New York in their finery only fuels my desire to pack my bags and live life in the city that never sleeps. 

Sources: here, here, and here.

Call me stupid, but I've been visualizing what my life would be like if I was in the shoes of someone as spectacularly rich and honoured as Blair Waldorf. It would definitely be enjoyable; brunches in expensive hotels, racks of designer clothing, the hottest boyfriend ever. However, after some time I realized how materialistic and superficial that sort of life is, and how unsuited I am to that lifestyle. I'm a city girl by all means and I'm a very privileged person, but nothing ever weighs up to the simple pleasures in life, in my opinion. A balmy Sunday sail, rainy days, friday nights, writing poetry, playing the ukulele, dancing for hours, family time; those things will forever mean the most to me. It seems that when you've got as much as these girls do, it's harder and harder to find true happiness. 

And here's the ultimate question that I've been asking myself and everyone else: Who's prettier? Blair or Serena?
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Personally, I think Blair is SO much prettier than Serena. All my friends disagree, but Leighton Meester is the most stunning girl ever and I love her dewy skin, warm smile and chocolate colored tresses. 
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The amount of bitching, gossip and scandalous action that happens on this show is incredulous yet expected, and it's what makes the show so juicy. After all, underneath their designer clothes and expensive jewels, they're just a bunch of high school kids like us.
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What do you think of Gossip Girl?


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chilly mornings, ragged androgyny and pumpkin soup.

I'm too lazy to credit these pictures, they're all from tumblr and therefore are the intellectual property of all hipsters present on the aforementioned site.

As I watch temperatures across the globe slowly creep down the thermostat, the rest of the world seems to be drifting into a dormant, chilled state. I feel so restless here in Singapore; it's monsoon (rainy) season and as the days drag on it's getting harder and harder to pretend like the rain slamming down on my roof is snow (or something equivalent to that exciting extent).

So, to compensate for my uncontrollable wanderlust which is only aggravated by this upcoming festive season, I have handpicked a few pictures off tumblr which best describe my awkward craving for freezing weather, woolly layers, ugg boots that bulge with fluff and steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Enjoy, my darlings.

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thakoon: pre-fall 2011.

Thakoon Panichgul whipped up an amazing Pre-Fall 2011 Collection, characterized by the clean, slender lines, and the minimal colors of gray, ice blue and black, contrasted with bright red. The V-neck was a recurring trend within the collection which helped create shape and add a feminine touch. The facade of his ensembles remain very much flat and textureless, with decorative additions of a tweed texture or a satin sash to liven things up. All the looks are polished and dignified, but some of the prints he's created brings back the atmosphere of Thakoon's earlier seasons, with his geometric wonders gracing the lengthy, floor sweeping dresses.


A gorgeous collection, Thakoon never fails to impress.

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elie saab.

 Whenever I read that name on a page of a glossy magazine, delightful images of sumptuous fabrics and princessy dresses whirl through my head. Elie Saab's designs are the definition of class, elegance and timeless style, and his silhouettes are strictly feminine and complement the feminine figure effortlessly. His Spring 2011 RTW collection consisted of 56 delicious ensembles - it was so difficult to pick my favorites to post on here!

His collection definitely proved to be a success, no different from every single one of his previous shows. The variety within the collection was truly breathtaking, consisting of clean cut blazers, micro dress shorts, voluptuous chiffon dresses and slinky silk cocktail togas. Elie's work is always full of intricate, microscopic detail, and this collection was no exception.