ootd + giveaway!

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Bracelet: Lovisa

Shorts + Belt: c/o PiecesofSummer

Top: thrifted/brandless

Rings: H&M

Wedges: Primark

iPhone case: Kate Spade

First outfit post in ages! I really enjoyed shooting with Sophie for the first time - we had the blessing of dry weather, (mostly) empty streets and the quiet backdrop of Orchard Road before the city properly woke up. These were shot right before a delicious brunch at Wild Honey with Kris, which, by the way, is my new go-to place for kick-ass breakfast food for any time of day. I'm glad my horrifically painful and hideous sunburn situation didn't show up too much in these pictures, and for those of you who follow me on Twitter, I'm sure you've heard enough about my current state of being an aloe-vera drowned lobster. I'm getting better though! I got this blouse for a ridiculously cheap price during my weekend trip to Bangkok a couple weekends ago, and while I could've downplayed the tropical prints with some denim or hushed accessories, I decided to liven it up with even more... Crayola colors (literally only word I can think of right now - someone get me a coffee). With electric blue wedges, bright green shorts and a striking red bag, this printed blouse is given a smart, urban update. Prints are traditionally used to liven up an outfit, but "outdoing" printed garments with colors and accessories that are bigger and better might just be my new style motto. I'll probably whisk this featherlight blouse away with me on my next beach vacation to wear as a cover-up, but who says prints always have to take the spotlight?

Last but not least, thanks so much for 700+ on Instagram! I Instagrammed about this giveaway on Monday so thanks for the overwhelming number of entries that have flooded in already! Win this versatile piece of arm candy from Lovisa, one of my favorite new places to shop for accessories! Its segments are threaded with elastic for a more comfortable fit, and I adore its texture, which adds a great touch to such a classic, wearable piece. 

Keen to enter? Two steps:

1) Follow me on Instagram (@veenamccoole)

2) Drop an email with your contact details and the subject line "Lovisa Bracelet Giveaway" to veena@seveninchstilettos.com

This international giveaway closes on the 20th of April at midnight (Singapore time), and the winner will be selected randomly, contacted by email and asked to provide a screenshot of their "follow" via email. If the winner doesn't respond within 24 hours, then I'll pick someone else to win this great prize! Also, I'm open to suggestions for future giveaways. Drop me an email or inbox me on Tumblr if you've got any ideas you'd like to share!

current wishlist.

Collating all my desires in the organized form of a wishlist blog post somehow eases the pain (sniffle) of not actually owning any of the following items - think of it as a humble acceptance of the devastating fact that these items might never be mine (I mean this in the least masochistic way possible). Anyway, a girl can dream - hence this post.

1. Marc Jacobs crossbody bag. I saw about twenty three people carrying a sleek black version of this beautifully simple bag in NYC, meaning I need one too. But really though, it's compact and cute and I love how the strap is both chain and leather.

2. Kate Spade bangles. After I skipped delightedly in a circle upon putting my new Kate Spade iPhone case on my baby, I couldn't help but skip delightedly around the rest of the store, checking out the equally cute jewelry. These striped bangles are a perfect mix of preppy and girly.

3. Proenza Schouler PS11 Hologram. ...So what if I only want a PS11 because Rumi has one. Seriously though, the hologram version beats the solid colored PS11s any day. Who doesn't like things that change color at every angle?!

4. Clarisonic. I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Clarisonic's AWESOME range of uber-exfoliating brushes, and I really want one of my own! I love that they're gentle yet offer a thorough, deep clean, which is extremely necessary for my hormonal teenage skin. Scrubbing your face furiously with grit-filled "exfoliating" gel is SO long ago.

5. Strappy black heels. Although this particular Giuseppe pair are a tad out of my range, I've recently fallen in love with the sexy-badassness of thick strappy heels. I feel like they have the power to update even a granny-esque nightdress, which is pretty amazing. Who needs generic platforms and pumps anymore?

6. Prada wallet. I'm currently saving up for, I guess you could say, my first "proper" wallet (aka Prada). I've never been fussed enough to have a fancy wallet until I recently had the epiphany that I can't be carrying my money in plastic bags or cheap coin purses for my entire life, because as I grow older, my wallet will begin to house credit cards and infinitely more important things than lunch money and allowance. And what better than a timeless Prada wallet to take care of all that?

~

What's on your current wishlist?

merry christmas!

 

I hope everyone had an excellent Christmas!

Massive apologies for not posting regularly, I'm in the midst of some intense exam preparation and haven't found much time for anything other than textbooks and revision notes! However there is one thing I'll always be able to make time for, and that's Christmas. The festive season sort of crept up on me this year; I've been incredibly busy this December and I didn't even notice how close we'd come to Christmas until I came home from school last week to find a beautifully decorated tree up in my living room! 

Enclosed are some pictures of my various festive experiences - I got some amazing presents this year (some of which are pictured above) and spent lots of time with the people I hold closest to my heart. A lot of food was consumed by yours truly (see jar of gingerbread above) on top of my annual Christmastime overdose on Starbucks, so over the next few days I seriously need to hit the gym! Some of the gifts I received include treats from Maison Martin Margiela, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jo Malone, Bvlgari, Miss Selfridge, Warehouse, Hollister, and many more! The parents also promised an iPhone 5 in January (after my exams eek!), so I'm lucky enough to have yet another gift to look forward to. Although I feel like Christmas has been increasingly overwhelmed with commercial exploitation over the past few years (e.g "Christmas Sales" in every store just for the sake of it), I've always been able to connect with Christmas on a spiritual, religious level (going to Christmas Mass is something I actually really love!). I enjoy the season not for the presents or material things it denotes, but for the warmth it brings to my loved ones and the fond memories made each year in honor of this beautiful festive season.