contact high.

crop top: h&m fashion against aids

skater skirt: c/o ohmysmoothies

lace button down: forever 21

heels: topshop

bangle: dorothy perkins

wristlet: coach

Here's an outfit Sophie and I shot ages ago at Holland Village, right before attending Wyld Agencies Pop-Up store media party at Blackmarket @ Orchard Central. I wore this same lace top to AFF2012 but decided to experiment with wearing it as a piece of unbuttoned outerwear. I bought this crop top AGES ago when H&M's Fashion Against Aids line was out for a limited time in Singapore for it's versatility, interesting print, affordability and great festival-style potential, but never really wore it until I acquired what I now deem it's perfect match; the red skater skirt with youthful flare and spinnability (you know what I mean). I decided that since Rumi Neely wears loads of ankle-strap sandals, I should too (even though they visually shorten your legs), and what better motivation to buy something than Rumi Neely and a discount price tag you simply can't say no to? Thanks for the memories sales, Topshop. I also love the serious simplicity of this black Coach wristlet which makes it almost invisible; it's an anti-statement (but it still carries things!) to the point where I feel like it's not even there half the time - perfect for when a great outfit needs to take centre stage! Cue matching accessories, a great metallic smokey eye and we're good to go.

contact high - architecture in helsinki

paris - part II

 With every passing hour spent in Paris, I fall more and more in love with the beautiful, stylish city. Not only is it brimming with unbelievably fashion-forward people who seem to treat style as a religion, it’s full of the most stunning architecture and colorful heritage which I’m eager to learn more about. Coming from a concrete jungle of buildings with sleek, modern façades and futuristic design, being surrounded by century-old splendor is a refreshing change I can’t express in words. 

As the pictures suggest, we visited our fair share of touristy places during our trip; Musee D'Orsay, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, check check check check. Hey, it was even Bastille Day during our visit! But even if we hadn't done all those things, I would have been perfectly happy to while away the days by simply roaming around the city, familiarizing myself with the tree-lined avenues, marveling at the overwhelming charm of Paris, and basking in the distinct French culture that the city is lathered in. While simultaneously munching on a crepe, or four. 

This summer was an exceptionally difficult one to pack for. After Paris, we’re due to go town-hopping in various parts of Bretagne for a few days, and then we’re off to Ireland for a week by the sea. I have one tiny suitcase and a weight allowance of 15kg, which I have to make do with for a whole month – including saving space to accommodate my potential overdose on retail therapy. I wanted to bring some stylish pieces to Paris, but I also wanted to dress for comfort and warmthat my other destinations. Therefore, I had to be prudent with what I packed and make sure that everything I brought could work wherever I go: be it on a boat, in a riverside caravan, at the beach, at a nice restaurant, or in one of the world’s capitals of fashion: Paris.

I kept my look simple with a lace top, a decorative necklace, my used-and-abused Longchamp bag which holds practically everything, a smart blazer to de-touristifymy look and help me blend in with the Parisians*, and a pair of simple black flats for all the walking we did.

* I swear to God everyone in Paris wears blazers – men included. I’m convinced they each own different blazers to fit every type of weather condition and occasion that could possibly come their way. Blazers are definitely part of the Parisian uniform!  

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paris - part I

Bonjour! 

After an exhausting three weeks in the mountains (read about it here!), I barely had a week of R&R back in my own bed before I was off again to Paris! The transatlantic flight was exhausting, but as soon as we left Charles De Gaulle Airport we were absolutely stunned by how beautiful the city was - even from the window of our Airport Shuttle Bus. 

There wasn't a single modern, glassy skyscraper in sight; every building we saw was authentically designed with unique floral patterns engraved in the faded stone fronts; each structure oozing with culture and history. Rows of dainty cafes lined the narrow cobblestone streets, each filled with Parisian women in leather boots and tailored trenchcoats, with their elegant, manicured fingers wrapped around warm lattes. Tree-lined avenues greeted us at every corner, each punctuated with wooden park benches occupied by lovebirds - young and old. Even the streetlamps looked so romantic, even though it was broad daylight. Within minutes of entering the city, I had come to a definite conclusion: The movies were right - Paris is really the city of love. 

After dumping our bags at our conveniently located hotel (on a quiet backstreet of Champs Elysees!), we instantly roamed the nearby streets and acquainted ourselves with the nearest coffee shop - Paul. Food always tastes best when it's made close to home, and Pain au Chocolat has never tasted better!

Apologies for the fluctuations in image quality; I'm using pictures from my digital camera as well as my mom's DSLR, so some images will be of better quality than others. 

2 more Paris posts are coming your way soon!

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10qq with maggie.

Meet Maggie Pa, a multi-talented, 17 year old Chinese-American from California. An avid violinist, a graphic design/digital art student and a self confessed shoe addict, Maggie enjoys documenting her fashion and culinary experiences on her blog, Salt and Leather. 

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1) Favourite magazine of all time: Nylon or W.
2) A celebrity you hate: I don't really hate any... I'm not interested in celebrities at all.
3) Two of your style icons: Sen Mitsuji and the Olsen twins, although I prefer street style to specific people.
4) If you were on the red carpet for a day, who's designs would you wear? McQueen or Vivienne Westwood.
5) All-time favourite accessory: My Forever21 plated necklace.
6) First song that plays on your iTunes shuffle: "Back to Tomorrow" by DBSK.
7) 3 things you keep beside your bed: My lamp, a small sketchbook and pen for late night ideas, and an alarm clock.
8) Favourite food: This is tough... But I'd have to say Taiwanese Oyster Pancakes.
9) A place you'd like to visit before you die: Tokyo, Japan.
10) What you want to be when you're older: Advertising/Marketing and Graphic design.

What do you think of Maggie's style and her blog, Salt and Leather?

personal style?

Shirt: TopShop

Shorts/Belt: H&M

Bracelets/Bangles: Vintage

Necklace: Forever 21

Boots: Doc Martens

I wish I had something intelligent to say in this post, but I really don't. So hello my darling readers, and welcome to one of Veena's "philosophical" rambles that most often don't make an ounce of sense. I hope you'll stay a while.

Anyway, this is one of my absolute favourite outfits. It's the perfect summation of my "personal style," edgy, a little cluttered, and a touch androgynous; although in a perfect world I would be wearing about thirteen rings in this picture. 

To be honest, I've never really understood the phrase "personal style," nor do I think I ever will, because sometimes what you wear is different from what you want to wear/like to wear, and that sort of contradicts the meaning of "personal style." I think it's stupid that people feel the need to categorize their taste and limit themselves by labelling a piece of clothing as "their style" or "not their style." Style should revolve around you, not the size of your hips/your ability to pull off daisy dukes. Style should make you smile and feel confident with who you are, so let yourself be happy with what you wear because style is an expression and extension of your personality. Anything can qualify as your "personal style" if you let it.

Moving on, YAAAAAAAY PHONE UPGRADE.

My early Christmas present has come my way, and I am overjoyed! (see before and after picture above). It's a huge upgrade from my previous Nokia, which was supposed to be temporary anyway, but oh my gosh I love my Blackberry 9780 (his name is Charlie by the way, I have a thing with naming my electronics), it's honestly the best thing ever. 

I'm definitely Team Blackberry as opposed to Team iPhone, what about you?

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