#instadiary - halloween!

This sounds so bad, and I guess that's because it IS so bad, but I have to say it: I hate Halloween. Always have and always will. I know tons of people, young and old alike, have some of their fondest memories dressing up and trick or treating and carving pumpkins and decorating their houses, but I just don't see the appeal. I love Christmas for the festive, familial feeling in the air, the presents (of course) and the intimate connection the season has with my religion (Catholic), and I feel like it's okay for me to enjoy all the 'superficialities' such as Christmas clothing sales and yummy food because I know that I am also fervent towards the season in a more meaningful way. I'm not saying that every festival or "reason to celebrate" has to be deeply rooted in religion or history to be legitimate or enjoyable, and maybe I don't really know what I'm saying and my hatred is just an immature, irrational one. I just hate Halloween (except candy corn, I like candy corn). Okay party pooping rant over.

Anyway, all my social media platforms have been spammed with all things Halloweeny, creepy and black-and-orange over the past few days, which has made me a bit more tolerant towards this annual spook-fest. I'm not going to launch into a Halloween Style Guide (god no), but instead, I thought I'd collect some of my favorite Halloween moments shared with the Instagram world from our favorite bloggers, companies and editors around the globe. See this as my attempt to conform to society's unstoppable enjoyment of a rather frivolous occasion. Enjoy!

Blogger Royalty Bryan Yambao (@bryanboy) rocked the cutest Anna Wintour outfit this year; she mightn't be spooky, but she certainly sends some seriously scary chills down the spines of fashion's elite from her front-row perch. Brownie points for that wig and those glasses! Chiara Ferragni (@chiaraferragni) of another major blog, "The Blonde Salad," looked amazing as usual and accessorized with a funky magenta wig and a nose ring (let's hope she never actually gets that pierced for real...), while Australian teen singer, brother of Cody Simpson and outrageously insta-famous Alli Simpson (@allisimpson) snapped a cute pic of lit pumpkin decorations with her signature hazy, faded filters (Secret's out: I stalk her quite a bit).

Blogger/model Hanneli Mustaparta (@hannelim) captured a posed picture with some friends, rocking minimal makeup and a cute bow in her hair. I love the simplicity, but I prefer the wild eye-makeup of her fellow party-goers! Company Magazine (@companymagazine) shared an adorable #instanailart picture, complete with pretty rings too! Nail art is definitely the way to go if you're not big on dressing up real insane. Teen Vogue's Andrew Bevan (@bevansburg) boasted elaborate makeup and a ghoulish complexion, posing with Rebecca Minkoff and Gavin Bellour.

 More nail goodness courtesy of major teen fashion mag Teen Vogue (@teenvogue) and a stunning flapper/Daisy Buchanan-esque selfie from actress Jennette McCurdy (@jennettemccurdy), but the real highlight here is Aimee Song's (@songofstyle) hilariously adorable Loofah costume. I have a feeling we'll see the same ingenious idea pop up on numerous occasions next Halloween, because this is what happens when you're one of the world's most successful individuals in the fashion industry: when you wear a loofah, you'll find that soon enough, everyone will wear a loofah. #TeamAimee

Parkncube (@parkncube) took the cutest photo next to an ASOS photowall, Teen Vogue Ed-In-Chief Amy Astley (@amytastley) captured an adorable moment on the subway of a little girl dressed up to go trick-or-treating, and fashion's all-time favorite designer Jason Wu (@jasonwu) clearly had a roaring good time (he attended the same Halloween party as Bryanboy!), decked out in winged eyeliner and even spookier friends on his arm. Maybe Halloween isn't so bad after all...

10qq with sara ann.

Once upon a time, there was a chubby, fat kid called Sara Ann K. Always in the "Trim And Fit club" (a "club" for overweight kids to exercise together during school), she had no idea that later on in life she would be thrust into the world of acting, fashion, modelling and beauty pageants. Once aptly nicknamed "Ugly Duckling" in primary school (and she has the autograph book to prove it), Sara was one of the hot favorites in Ford Supermodel of the Year contest in 99'/00, and blazed her way into many hearts during Miss Singapore Universe in 2002, where she ended up as one of the top 5 finalists. 

She stumbled into the world of social media in 2004 when she hosted Singapore's first online blogging contest, Moblogs by Singtel. During the 4 years she helmed the site as "hostsara", she gained more than 10,000 page views daily on her personal blog, interacted with fans over more than 5000 text messages a day and finally understood the meaning of html. Since retiring from the blogosphere, she continued pursuing her career in media and entertainment and has, for the last 4 years, been the most recognizable face on The Straits Times RazorTV, an online channel owned by Singapore's national newspaper, where she now is a producer, presenter and journalist. Besides finally "getting to use my brains and my degree, like my mom wants" at her current position, she has covered events and interviewed personalities across fields such as fashion, lifestyle, sports and even politics, and hopes to have a talk-show of her own one day. 

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1) Best place you've ever visited: Can I get back to you when I'm on my deathbed? Though at that point, I think I'd be looking forward to heaven instead. Otherwise- the dreams in my head. (Or anywhere with chocolate).

2) Must-have beauty product: Does deodorant count? I always keep a bottle of spray-on antiperspirant on me. Even the strongest ones have limited superhero powers in sunny Singapore, and some times we spend hours in the hot sun running after people for soundbites on the streets and then have to rush to an interview with a celeb, or worse... a date. So deo is a must have! (Along with wet wipes.)

3) Tips for being infront of the camera: Be yourself. I can't stress this enough. Once you try to be someone else, the camera doesn't lie. Oh, and energy energy energy!

4) Hardest thing you've ever done (career-wise): To know when to let go. And move on. 

5) Most embarrassing moment: Where do I start... I won't be able to stop! I've learnt that no matter what, always wear Team A underwear. 'Nuff said.

6) Favorite fragrance: FOOD! I use tons of moisturizers, scents and candles with Vanilla in them, but I use a few fragrances depending on my mood (and if I remember to!) when I step out of the house. I love male scents - I've used Chromo Azzaro, Davidoff and I love Christian Dior's Bois D'Argent. I also use floral ones like Lancome's Miracle, Pleasures from Estee Lauder and Chanel's Allure - I usually mist these onto my hair. Fruity ones like Escada Ibiza Hippie and Pacific Paradise I use for days when I want to have fun and flirt. I am also very into aromatherapy oils which I pick up from www.aromafab.com!
7) Most memorable moment from your career (or more than one!): Too many to count! But if you're asking about celebs... Well, landing up dating one of my interviewees, I guess. That one was of the best interviews ever.
8) Something you always keep at your bedside: Water. And my phone.

9) Relationship status? Even my Facebook doesn't know the answer to that!

10) Tips for any budding presenters, models, or media/fashion journalists: 

Presenters: Never be proud. PRACTICE. It is a skill that can't be learnt; you're either a natural or you're not. 

Models: Never be proud. Beauty is transient. Listen to your mother. Keep your knees together. Take off your makeup every night.

Fashion Journalists: Never be proud. You don't have to look like Gaga to be a fashion journo. And follow your heart, and your instincts. Have integrity.

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