my life in pictures IV.

 (across each row, left to right)

1. A slightly more unattractive selfie with one of the many memorable people I became close to this summer: John from Street Peek! Such a wonderful, hilarious fashion friend; laughs guaranteed.

2. My JumpFromPaper bag (!!!) that had me jumping and screaming when it came in the mail and can be seen in this outfit post - I still can't get over how cool it is. Thank you so much JFP!

3. An outtake from a photoshoot I did at East Coast Park with Amanda from BeautifulAdieu for an upcoming webstore called Threepurs.

4. Sunday morning coffee and red velvet with Michael at Haji Lane's coolest caffeine stop: Artistry.

5. The lovely folks at Publicist PR invited me to experience Dr. Brandt's new Detoxygen Facial, a bubbly, ultra-hydrating treatment available at both Sccube the Apothecary (#05-25 Ngee Ann City) and for DIY home use. It was a quick, relaxing treatment that left my skin radiant, deeply nourished and glowing! My lovely aesthetician treated my skin with Dr. Brandt's "Pores No More" skin care products too, which were perfectly suited to my oily, pimple-prone skin. I really enjoyed my pampering session - thanks so much Publicist PR!

6. Enjoying a personal favorite Twelve Cupcake flavor of mine, red velvet, courtesy of my lovely boss during my internship at Digital Fashion Week, Charina! Devouring this while planning a hectic roundtable meeting for all participating designers was just what the DFW crew needed to keep us going.

7. Enjoying some retail therapy at Sephora and subsequent feminine reading at Kinokuniya with the best friend to calm our nerves before IGCSE exam results came out!

8. Sitting on an oddly horizontal palm tree wearing my new VS bikini in Sibu (feat. the little bro playing with a rugby ball!)

9. A close-up of the not-so-delicious mushroom and truffle soup I had at P.S Cafe on one of my last visits there with Ethan. Although it was photogenic enough for me to take this picture, it was quite bland and was the first disappointment P.S Cafe has offered me.

optical illusion.

 bag - c/o jumpfrompaper

top - c/o part and parcel

skort - zara

shoes - dr. martens

Meet the most exciting, unreal addition to my wardrobe: Jumpfrompaper's Cheese bag! I was bouncing up and down when JFP contacted me and asked me to make one of the hardest decisions of ever: picking one bag from their colorful website. While I would be the happiest bunny to take home all of their eclectic, puzzlingly wonderful creations, the "Cheese" bag had to be my favorite. I love the girl-next-door satchel style and I don't own anything in this cheddar cheese color, making it an even more special, unique newbie to my closet. I love the confused stares and obvious double-takes I get when taking this bag out and I certainly don't expect anything less of passerbys; it's quite the statement bag with a very confusing aesthetic construction! Browsing the JFP website left me curious as to how these bags actually looked and felt in real life - "they look so fake and animated!" said a good friend of mine. I don't know how much sense this makes, but if I say that the bag looks exactly as how you're currently imagining it to be through these pictures, I hope that clarifies things for you. 

I love the casual, slouchy and breezy quality of this blue and white striped top gifted to me by local blogshop Part and Parcel. It has a wide, low neckline, making it perfect as a swimsuit throw-over too. The slanted breast pockets and aforementioned neckline create physical linear patterns, emphasized by the stripes, which I like to believe gives a nice slimming effect, as well as the linear cut of my trusty Zara skort. This skort is probably the most overexposed garment of 2013, and rightly so. I have yet to find a more comfortable, versatile option to carry me securely through the awkward gaps of dress codes that life presents me with. Fashion events, tuition, meetings, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacktimes, coffees... the list of instances where this skort is appropriate is truly infinite. The geometric nature of the "origami" skirt instantly adds an interesting angle to the simplest white-tee-and-flats combo, yet simultaneously serves to simplify an ensemble consisting of digital prints and kaleidoscopic sky-high heels. You want versatility, affordability, effortlessness and perfection, did you say? Get your a** to Zara and snap up one or four of these gems.

10qq with islean.

 Powerful - Sexy - Sophisticated - Chic. If I had to sum up ARC's aesthetic in four words, those would be the four I'd choose. No one, I repeat NO ONE, knows power-dressing the way Islean Valath does, and that's why every woman needs an ARC piece in her wardrobe - for kick-ass, no-nonsense sophistication. In my mind, the ARC woman is the urban, polished CEO with the world at her manicured fingertips who wears heels as high as her achievements and champions a wardrobe of professional, understated elegance laced with bold sexiness. While we can't all be that CEO, we can sure as hell dress like her with price points of $150 for a skirt to $358 for a dress. ARC echoes the clean aesthetic of sparkling urban life, and achieves a unique sexiness while maintaining generally conservative cuts. With excellent quality and a design philosophy like no other, ARC stands out in the Singaporean design scene as the pioneer of modern, feminine dressing. Islean describes her brand vision as follows:

"A segment of a circle. A curve. The make-up of a woman's body. ARC is inspired by the curves that govern the female form, seeking to draw attention to that which should be, and to hold back what is best veiled... The juxtaposition of the hard-edged and soft curves echoes a balance that all modern women must find: somewhere between fragile and hard, strong and delicate."

1) What's your favorite way to spend a Friday night? Catching up with my best girlfriends over a good meal. I don't get to see them often enough due to our travel and work schedules, so it's always such a treat to meet up. We don't frequent clubs and bars at all, but prefer to chill over a good meal in Katong where we grew up together, or somewhere in the Little India/Bras Basah areas. Invariably we'll end up having a great time, laughing our heads off over something or other. Of course it's always a feast, ending with someone whipping out a box of cupcakes or local kueh they had bought along the way. We're all pretty consistent and passionate about yoga and gymming, so we never feel guilty going crazy with the desserts.

2) What are some of your daily online reads? I love the crisp sounds of a publication being flipped early in the morning. I do read online mags but there's nothing on the web that's a daily habit.

3) Name a celebrity you'd love to dress in your designs: Natalie Portman. She's the perfect combination - intelligent, grounded, doesn't take herself too seriously, amazing at her craft, wacky funny, and if all that isn't enough, she's got a flawless face and body.

4) What's a color you'd never wear? Cyan blue. It really doesn't work with my skin tone. Might be great on someone else, but just terrible on me.

5) What's something you always have with you? I hate to admit this, but its my iPhone. Yes I know, people are now completely glued to their handheld devices, causing big shifts and possibly detrimental effects on our social paradigms, not to mention really embarrassing facial expressions on the trains as we attempt to get to the next level of Candy Crush. I can't help it though, I'm addicted to my machine! I don't actually play any games at all. For me it's emails, whatsapp and googling - you see I just HAVE to find the answer to any question I have. Immediately.

6) Name a designer you look up to/are inspired by: There are so many, but for a long time now I've been a huge fan of Haider Ackermann. His work is just phenomenal and he's got such a strong, recognizable voice in his creations.

7) What's your least favorite food? I was forced to eat this 3 times a week when I was a kid: steamed whole fish with ginger & Chinese wine. The smell and slimy skin of the fish made want to puke, and the eyes of the fish staring at me from the plate freaked me out.  Kind of like the Mona Lisa eye-contact effect, except not very pleasant because it's a dead fish...

8) What are your thoughts on Singapore's fashion scene? There's definitely more and more interesting street fashion in Singapore that I've noticed in the past couple years. Every time I see someone, young or old wearing a great outfit styled in a unique, imaginative way, I think to myself, "How awesome, this is the next stage of our development in Asia: creative personal growth." Not merely in small alternative pockets of society, but throughout the mainstream, there is burgeoning recognition that personal expression / individuality are things that aren't to be feared and rejected.

9) Something you've never done but you'd like to try: Bit of a cliche, but for me it really is bungee jumping. I have family in New Zealand so it's long overdue; on my next trip I will have to make good on my self-promise to take the plunge, so to speak...

10) What are your dreams for the future? Being invited to show my line at one of the major cities' fashion weeks is a real dream.

What do you think of Islean's designs and ARC?

the 5 instagram accounts you need to follow!

Instagram is still a relative newbie to the world of social media, but it seems that fashion has fallen in love with it to the point of no return. I am a total insta-addict myself; from OOTDs to #foodporn, it's become a little digital diary filled with quick snapshots of my daily life for my friends and readers to see. Some bloggers use it as a professional extension of their blogs, others post excessively (not a bad thing though!) about their personal lives which aren't featured on their blogs, but I like to think I land somewhere in between those extremes. Anyway, I've rounded up 5 of my all-time favorite Instagram accounts for you guys to drool over, have fun!

Name: Chelsea Lane (@truelane)
Number of followers: 4734
Bio: "Minneapolis! zippedblog.com"
What you'll find: Simple pictures of Chelsea's enviable, stylish daily life, edited with filters reminiscent of old film photographs. She's also put her own spin on the classic "ootd" picture; she shoots her own outfits by simply pointing her phone downwards so we get a closer view of her outfit details (and, more often than not, a peek at her daily caffeine dose too!). Expect lots of soft, bright shots of interiors, various street views and lots and lots of coffee.
 

Name: Zoe Suen (@zosuen)
Number of followers: 20,250
Bio: "Blogger and incessant cat-video watcher from hong kong - Vine: zosuen - fashiononymous.net"
What you'll find: A glorious mixed-bag of pictures; both sartorial and adolescent, perfectly showcasing Zoe's double life as a fashion blogger and high school student. Her pictures are frequently edited with grainy film effects and occasionally even colorful doodles! Expect frequent snapshots of her photogenic granola breakfasts, adorable selfies and previews of her upcoming posts!

Name: Maria S. (@avenuemaria)
Number of followers: 591
Bio: "Vintage lover, sweet 16, Brisbane www.avenuemaria.blogspot.com"
What you'll find: The most delicately feminine selection of pictures encompassing Maria's life as a student, blogger and full-time florals enthusiast, not to mention a perfect reflection of her equally girly blogging style! Whether it be her morning tea and the latest copy of Frankie magazine, a lacy dress laid out on her flowery bedspread or a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, everything Maria posts is swathed with a vintage, sugary-sweet haze and is beautifully photographed, too!

Name: Sandra Juto (@sandrajuto)
Number of Followers: 52,338
Bio: "in berlin most of the time - welcome!sandrajuto.bigcartel.com"
What you'll find: No exaggerations here; this account might take over your life. Seeing snippets of life as a designer in Berlin never fails to brighten my day. Even the most mediocre aspects of daily routine are cleverly captured; Sandra certainly has a way of harnessing the artistic potential in everything, be it frothy cappuccinos or sunny mornings. To top off all her photographic perfection, Sandra doesn't post too often or too rarely, she strikes the perfect insta-balance! As if you needed another reason to love her account. 

Name: W O L F C U B (@wolfcubwolfcub) 
Number of followers: 23,731
Bio: "by brydie mack ∞ wolfcub@live.com.au - wolfcubchronicles.blogspot.com"
What you'll find: If there is an Instagram account that I can scroll through and mistake for my Tumblr dashboard (seriously, I've subconsciously tried to locate the "reblog" button on more than one occasion), it's this one. Boasting a clean, modern and very fashionable aesthetic, expect to see the harmonious marriage of nature and modernity in the form of flawless models donning sleek white pieces in the sun, sea, sand and surf. Other regular images include Polyvore outfit sets, grungy metallic details, chandeliers, glass jars, dramatic dresses and the occasional nude picture (girls only, please!). Worth a follow if you enjoy minimalist fashion inspiration in bite-sized doses!

+ Check out my interview with SeenHeardKnown Magazine here!
+ Congratulations to Lay Choo for winning my Juicy Couture giveaway, and thanks to everyone who entered!

 

cobalt blue.

Be it celebrity style, recurring details on the runway or simply what you see on the street, the thing about trends that really irks me is the fact that it can sometimes put a huge limit on the colors deemed "stylish" in your wardrobe. While I understand fluorescents are hardly the hues of choice for winter and black funeral shrouds are never really "in" for summer, I don't think trends of any sort should have the right to dominate your decisions when it comes to color. One of my favorite things about putting together a colorful outfit is having the freedom to play with contrast and mood, regardless of the weather or season. There's nothing more refreshing than donning a color-blocked scarf in the dead of winter; color is an excellent way to liven up any outfit, be it workwear, formal-wear or lazy-Sunday-wear and my current favorite is cobalt blue. 

In my opinion, this electric hue is best suited to bold, geometric pieces such as statement cut-out heels and patent crossbody bags.There's nothing more chic than cobalt blue apparels slashed with neat, geometric doses of its equally powerful color-counterparts, namely tangerine/vermillion. Adding a punchy color to a head-turning accessory: that's real power-dressing for you! To lessen the "impact" of the color on its own is an equally gorgeous way to wear cobalt blue: in a print! The sharp blazer on the top left shows the color set in a soft pattern, and the iPhone case demonstrates just how effective the modern color is at giving ethnic prints such as ikat a futuristic update. 

Given how perfect of a backdrop cobalt blue provides for metallic accents and details, another effective way to wear the color is with a classy dose of metal. Simple studded/toe-cap flats fulfil this perfectly, as do geometric pops of color set in a gold chain or silver cuff. It's the harmonious marriage of edgy and trendy, and unlike other brighter colors, it's definitely something that can be pulled off by women of any age. 

What do you think of this great color? 

quiz | what's your fall style?

1. My favorite season is:

a) Winter

b) Fall

c) Summer

2. I would describe my style as:

a) Feminine - I love layering!

b) Geometric - I like playing with shapes and tailoring.

c) Celebrity inspired - I keep my outfits edgy and on-trend.

3. ______ matters most to me.

a) Being comfortable and warm

b) Looking classy and professional

c) Standing out

4. My favorite accessories are:

a) A wool-blend hat or soft scarves

b) A couple of versatile geometric, statement accessories

c) Every single bracelet/necklace/ring I own

5. My favorite color palette has to be:

a) neutral lights, such as cream, white, grey and tan.

b) muted hues, such as brick red, navy blue and forest green.

c) fluorescents and brights, with lots of neon and ombre.

6. My go-to piece in my wardrobe:

a) My woolly cardigan

b) My tailored blazer

c) My ripped jeans

If you chose mostly a's:

Silky soft layers in creamy hues are reminiscent of winter's powdery beds of snow and are perfect for those more inclined to pursue a "comfortable-chic" look. Muted tones like the ones pictured above don't leave much room for error, and can be easily layered to suit the temperature or your mood. A favorite of mine has got to be that aztec-printed woolly - the shapelessness of it would go so well with a pair of equally flattering skinny jeans!

If you chose mostly b's:

 Step up the edginess with architectural heels, fitted blazers, tailored shorts and studded loafers. While you're going crazy with dimension, shape and form, make sure you keep a good balance by skipping out on colors that are too extreme. Ditch the vermillion and opt for a brick red, and who needs electric blue jeans when you've got an effortless pair of acid-washed ones? Next time you're out for some retail therapy, opt for the accessories rack instead and pick up some statement bracelets/geometric necklaces!

If you chose mostly c's:

Your wardrobe is best defined as a disorderly explosion of color and eclectic finds, regardless of whether you picked them up from Fendi or a flea market. Sometimes the most unexpected color combinations wind up being the best, and you're definitely not afraid to take that risk! Get your hands on as many printed pieces as you can, stir things up with a colorful ombre top, and finish with white-hot Docs for a winning ensemble. 

wisteria.

 With an adorable collar and a romantic lace overlay, this feminine piece is sure to make you feel princess-y!

 The super-versatile Kelly dress is simple and has such cute shoulder detailing, definitely not to miss!

 This adorable number in a summery, pastel hue is a must-have in any girl's wardrobe!

Lace and peplum are definitely a match made in heaven, and I'm such a sucker for that beautiful royal blue color!

Dress up in style with Wisteria!

Wisteria’s eclectic series of affordable and quality apparels are perfect for everything, really: work, school and play. With a new collection launched every week, there are plenty of colors and designs to choose from! Wisteria's versatile designs also allow you to take the same piece from day to night with just a simple change of accessories. It's always tough to strike a balance between quantity and quality; we all want LOADS of clothes that wear well, yet often times our wallets only allow for either a) one or two high quality pieces, or b) a huge handful of not-so-lasting apparels. With Wisteria, you don't have to worry about making that choice: their low prices ensure you can shop for good-quality clothing to your heart's content without a trace of guilt! Look fabulous, fashion-forward, and still have some cash left over... to shop Wisteria's next collection, of course! My favorite pieces in this collection have got to be the Vera dress, Anne dress and Belle dress. Click through on each of the names to see more pictures! 

 
Stay updated with the latest news and promotions by joining Wisteria's mailing list (follow them on Instagram at @shopwisteria as well!) and visit their Facebook page for a chance to win some Wisteria shopping vouchers too!  

And here's a treat just for my lovely readers: use the discount code "VEENA5%" at the Wisteria checkout for an exclusive 5% discount off your entire purchase!

So what are you waiting for?! Shop Wisteria now! 

This is a sponsored advertorial.

lace & ebony.

Founded in December 2011, Lace and Ebony has quickly become one of Singapore's most prominent destinations for online shopping - and with such beautiful designs for the fashion-conscious individual as well as a wallet-friendly price range of $25-$35 apiece, it's no surprise the brand has taken the fancy of thousands of women. The brand strikes a successful balance between quality and affordability, and this collection, entitled "Casual Fallacy," consists of staple separates which add a fashion-forward flavor to any wardrobe. High-waisted shorts with a lacy overlay, feathery-light blazers in electric hues, galaxy print dresses and the snuggliest shirts you could imagine... you name it and Lace and Ebony will most probably have it. Seriously. Selling everything from office-worthy apparel to floor-length dresses, owner Angela describes Lace and Ebony clothing as "feminine with an edge." As well as being able to shop directly from their website, Lace and Ebony has expanded to sell at local boutique FirstDay (Plaza Singapura B1-19).

I had the privilege of modelling Lace and Ebony's newest collection, which I honestly could not have fallen more in love with (call it a clothes crush, IT HAPPENS OKAY). I can recall previous shoots where my departure was met with a twinge of sadness in my heart as I thought of all the beautiful clothes I'd worn - and then had to walk away from, but that frivolous materialistic heartache was amplified a thousand times after shooting this collection. I honestly loved every single piece to the desperate extent that I immediately spent the money I'd earned from modelling on two of my favorite pieces (I had to narrow down from 15 pieces to 2, sigh).

~

So what are you guys waiting for? Head over to laceandebony.com at 10pm (Singapore time!) tomorrow night (18th October) to catch the launch of Casual Fallacy, and treat yourself to some retail therapy without breaking the bank! Check out Lace and Ebony on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and TWITTER as well (@laceandebony)

What do you think of Lace and Ebony's new collection "Casual Fallacy," and what's your favorite piece from the photos above?

This is a sponsored advertorial.

warehouse trend talk.

Hosted by ELLE Singapore's lovely Senior Stylist Dora Aljoofri, the Warehouse Trend Talk and AW12 collection preview was a lovely evening of laughs, photographs, and lots and lots of delicious canapes (I may or may not have devoured all those mini mushroom quiches!). After a peruse through the deliciously timeless collection, eager fashionistas gathered around to hear what Dora had to say about the collection. With the help of a fleet of models gliding elegantly through the store, Dora talked us through her favorite pieces in the collection. She summed up the nature of worldwide Autumn/Winter 2012 trends perfectly: "the most opulent season fashion has ever seen." Well, opulence was certainly the right word to use. With rich fabrics in regal hues, the entire collection was sprinkled in class and expensive taste - even the expected leather jacket (typically fit for a half-naked biker chic) was transformed into something of KMiddleton's calibre, thanks to the designers at Warehouse taking a hint from Chanel by quilting the fabric (as worn on stylist Dora and second model from the left). Jodphur-inspired skinny jeans and blouses dotted with "woodland creatures" (another huge recurring motif this season) were a prevalent aspect of the collection, and typically stiff, wallpaper-esque brocade was given a fun update in the form of a flirty, sequined dress (centre image).

The collection was effortlessly classy, and delivered runway-worthy apparel at an attractive high-street price. However, what made the collection especially lovable was the fact that it bridged the daunting gap between the borderline obnoxious trends in high-fashion, and the trends you see on the street. While maintaining modesty and elegance, the collection successfully updated the key features of this season to fit the needs of stylish, young people on a budget. It really doesn't get any better than iridescent, sequined brocade!

Click here to see more pictures from the event.

the lust list.

Yep, you heard read right. This isn't any old "wishlist" of mine - it's a full-on lust list; a medley of delights that are one day destined to land my closet but just don't know it yet. The eight items you see above are the remains of the many wishlists I've scrawled over the years - as a fashion blogger, it's only natural to have unlimited wants! While I've achieved success at saving my poorly managed allowance to buy medium-priced statement pieces, I've stupidly abandoned what should be every fashionista's eternal fashion mission: stocking up on high-quality essentials to form a solid foundation for your wardrobe. 

 

one -- the blazer.

I love blazers; they're perfect for pulling together a tee&jeans look and can be re-worked in so many ways. Aside from their flattering fit and million-dollar appeal, the versatility of blazers is what I love most about them. I have two lovely tailored black ones, but I'm now on the lookout for a light, pastel one.

two -- a chain-strap bag.

Much like the blazer, a simple chain-strap bag is the dressed-up relative of the cross-body hobo satchel. It's widely wearable and can be made to work for a variety of occasions; day or night. The only problem with these are their size - for someone like me with a lot of baggage, these are a little too small. A Chanel quilted one would be nice, but let's be realistic here (sigh).

three -- a floppy sunhat.

There isn't really an explanation needed for this, because everyone should have a plain, decent floppy hat in their possession for impromptu weekend escapes to the seaside, walks in the park, etc. 

four -- scalloped shorts.

Something of a blogger-trend (remember the huge wave of maxi-skirt donning personal style bloggers a few months ago? similar sitch) this year, these delicious high-waisted shorts come with a girly bonus: scallops! I live in a country where our only season is summer, so denim shorts day after day gets a little tedious. I fell in love with the fun detailing of these babies, and it's about time I treated myself to a pair!

five -- nude heels.

Again - an explanation isn't exactly necessary for these, especially when virtually every style blogger female owns a pair (sniffle). In fairness, I'm still only 15 so heels aren't exactly mandatory, but I'm in love with the few pairs of heels that I own (despite the horrendous blisters they give me), so I'm eager to get my hands on a pair of glossy nude leg-lengtheners!

six -- a portfolio clutch.

When I was little, the only type of bag I knew existed was the generic women's leather shoulder bag in a muted hue - simply because it was the only bag my mother ever carried (now she's graduated into travel backpacks and Jim Thompson carryalls... no comment). Thanks to Vogue I now know there's far more variety out there, namely this angular, statement beau of a clutch. I'd like mine in a loud color for maximum impact.  

seven -- a high waisted anti-bandage skirt.

Thanks to the show Jane By Design (where Jane's outfits usually consist of vividly-printed, voluminous high waisted skirts and even more colorful bags, tops and shoes), I've learned that a skirt can be high-waisted without hugging every curve of one's behind - and still look trendy on a teenager. I'm definitely ready to give these skirts a try, although I don't know if my wallet is.

eight -- wine colored skinnies.

Skinny jeans have always been my go-to staples for everything. They abide by the universal Church's rule of dressing conservatively, they can be paired with heels and a blazer for a dinner date, and they cover enough skin so you can get away with a more daring top. I've been lusting for a pair in this gorgeous wine/berry hue for as long as I can remember, so I'll definitely make an effort to save up for a pair!

What's on your "eternal lust list?"

xx v.

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