all-in-one.

 flats: pazzion

bag: c/o carlo rino

jumpsuit: lily thailand

bracelets: c/o style.in.kind 

earrings: c/o lissele jewellery

I snapped up this lovely all-in-one jumpsuit from the Lily boutique in one of Bangkok's Central Malls at the beginning of summer. Jumpsuits make getting dressed shockingly easier, but I'm always paranoid that since the top and bottom are attached in one piece, it's that much more obvious when they are re-worn. Luckily this particular one is easy to style over and over to create new looks (I might try a blazer + heels combo next, who knows!). With subtle lace detailing on the shoulders, a bright abstract floral print and simple black pants, I can't think of a situation that this piece wouldn't fit well with (besides, like, the beach). Plain black flats wouldn't do this jumpsuit justice, so cue my new favorite pair of shoes: the black leather/leopard print hybrid boasting extraordinary comfort and water resistance (okay, not that much water resistance). There's nothing like a subtle print-clash to spice up an outfit without mismatching to the extreme. This lovely bag from Carlo Rino is my new favorite (ever) for so many reasons. The clean lines of the leather exterior means it adds so much class to any outfit, and the bright pop of coral-red serves as a daily reminder of a color I don't wear often enough, yet this bag has made me fall in love with. The inside of the bag is perfect too; it has enough pockets for everything you need - and I'm talking useful compartments, not lame little fabric folds that are big enough for a pen. Seriously, I'm a huge fan of numerous pockets, slits and flaps that serve a convenient purpose, and this bag takes that to a whole new level. It can hold anything, even a small child (well, at least the weight equivalent), with shocking comfort and shape-retention. An umbrella, coffee mug, change of shoes, cardigan and my other miscellaneous essentials fit in neatly. Thank you so much Carlo Rino!

On a Bangkok note - I spent a few nights there at the start of summer to attend my aunt's wedding and got to stay in our new apartment there for the first time! It's nice to finally have a cosy space of our own in the bustling city (one of my few "hometowns") to call home, and the shopping district is conveniently accessible by foot. Unfortunately Cathay Pacific lost my luggage on the flight to Bangkok, so I've been grieving over my losses and trying to scrape together enough cash to replace all the clothes, books, chargers, makeup, shoes and things I lost. Not gonna lie, it was definitely a trip-ruiner since I had none of my own clothes and makeup for the wedding, but I guess it gave me a license to shop a little more! If I hadn't lost that suitcase, I might not have bought this gorgeous jumpsuit and pair of shoes (trying to stay positive). I'm glad we have our own small place in the city though, it makes it feel that much more like home and makes it so much more convenient to visit Bangkok more often. It's a spectacular city with the most unbelievable energy and crazy vibrance, and while I admit spending more than a week there is a bit of an overkill, a long weekend in Thailand's capital city will promise to leave you simultaneously exhausted and reinvigorated. Till next time, Krung Thep!

+ Photos/editing by Katya Brigitte Photography, the uber-talented photographer from London!

sunday morning.

 top: fashion star x h&m

floral pants: c/o kristine's collection

necklace: c/o dear laura

heels: mango

bag: c/o carlo rino

There are so many things I adore about this ensemble, which probably explains why I've been caught wearing this exact same outfit multiple times (#guilty). I hate the fuss and the awkward crinkles that come with tucking a long shirt into skinny jeans, and since this button down has a lovely shapely tail, I decided to leave it out, as it satisfied a heightened level of both aesthetics and comfort. The 3/4 length is such a cute way to wear fitted pants, but can leave someone with muscular legs like me a stunted silhouette - hence the leg-lengthening nude pumps which have really been a lifesaver and an outfit-redeemer on numerous occasions. Everything you could possibly wear just looks ten times better and more credible in a sexy pair of nude heels, I'm convinced! I picked up this semi-translucent floral top from Buffalo Exchange when I was in New York this February, and I intend to visit (and revisit) that store until I'm wrinkly and bedridden. The floral texture of it works perfectly with the print on the pants and works equally well with denim shorts for a can't-be-bothered summer getup. I chose to button the shirt up all the way and conceal the collar with this overwhelmingly chic gold necklace that Dear Laura kindly sponsored me. It's like a cage/prison bars for my neck - except it's pretty and comfortable and I wear it by choice, if that makes sense. This slouchy purple bag from Carlo Rino is the most glorious color ever, and although it initially looked like a weird boxy square when it was hanging on the rack in their showroom, it transformed into this wonderfully creased leather must-have when I put it on my arm and filled it up a little. It's a grab-and-go holdall with excellent quality genuine leather, and looks perfectly slouchy no matter how full it is! Oh yeah, and this song will never, ever grow old.

+ Got a question for me? Pop in in my Tumblr ask box here!

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

golden days.

Dress: c/o Kristine's Collection

Belt: c/o OhMySmoothies

Clutch: c/o Dorothy Perkins

Shoes: Brandless

 I've worn this dress so many times - it's a miracle it hasn't appeared in an outfit post yet! I love the muted champagne color underneath the floral lace overlay and the hint of flesh visible at the neckline. In my opinion, the waistline looks much better pulled in with a simple black belt for added shape and definition. To amp up the gentle color and feminine lace aspects of the dress, I paired it with glistening gold shoes and a scalloped pink and gold clutch from Dorothy Perkins - my new latest obsession (I even chose to bring it to Formal (prom) - stay tuned for a post on my Formal dress coming soon!). While the clutch enhanced the girly appeal of the dress, the gold elements made for a more daring, statement ensemble. I'm so relieved that my exams are finally over, so expect much more frequent posts throughout the summer as I document some of my sartorial adventures during my internship with Digital Fashion Week Singapore!

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!

 

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!

fall 2012 - england | photo diary.

Here it is; the comprehensive photographic recollection of my marvelous week in Kent + London! For those of you who don't keep up with me on Twitter, I spent a week in early November soaking up the nippy weather, sunny skies (YES you read that correctly - there was magnificent weather!) and beautiful fall scenery of England. Although the purpose of the trip wasn't exactly for leisure (I spent the first half of the trip studying and sitting various exams, eek!), I ended up doing a lot of shopping, sightseeing and touristy photo-taking in England's stunning capital city. Following my rambles (which should end soon) is a photo-diary which will hopefully take you on a visual journey through my various experiences over the past week, including one or two repetitive outfits (Singapore Airlines' weight allowance unfortunately didn't accommodate my entire wardrobe so apologies for the lack of diversity in the apparel department!), tourist-y shots, and countless snaps of the crispy fall leaves/bare trees - I seriously can't help myself when it comes to fall, I have such a weakness for the burnt hues of the perishing foliage, the fragile, naked branches and the fresh-red-cheeks weather that goes along with it. It's such a beautiful representation of nature's most intricate cycle; the dying, falling, absence and subsequent regrowth of leaves, and the leisurely decline in temperature followed by the eagerness of warm sun, gently nudging the snow out until next year. Judging by the snowstorms that have hit my cousins in Connecticut, my description was probably a little (or a lot) romanticized, but when you live in a tropical city without the luxuries of dynamic weather, all you've got is your imagination to fuel you (e.g. turning my air-con down to 10˚C on Christmas Eve in order to bundle up in several woolly articles of clothing and pretend I'm in Europe). Enjoy!

a coat for crispy weather.

I hardly ever do outfit posts, but I thought I might as well take advantage of the crisp-y weather and crispier leaves that Kent is abundantly scattered with during this glorious time of year and take some pictures in my new Topshop coat, which was literally my savior throughout my chilly week in the UK. I'm back home in Singapore now and until my next trip to somewhere cool, this coat is sadly of no use to me, but I love it so much I might even get it framed. This was actually the outfit I wore on the plane (minus the coat), so I wasn't exactly rocking the fresh-faced look; it was more of a 12-hour-flights-suck look. This Zara top is one of the few items of clothing I own which my dad has purchased for me (without my presence/immediate consent, that is) - he's not really one for fashion, but he definitely hit gold with this simple striped wonder. He even bought it in the right size! Paired with soft Topshop jeans and my trusty H&M satchel that never leaves my side (and is now sadly falling apart), this outfit was, in a word: easy. No frills or fuss; perfect for anything from long-haul flights to lazy afternoon tea coffee (jetlag must be overcome!) in a tiny British town. 

The first thing I did when I landed? Bought myself a packet of good old British crisps - Walkers, that is. If there's one thing I love about visiting Britain/Ireland, it's getting my hands on a pack of their traditional, timeless crisps. Not chips - crisps.  

BYFEINE launch.

 dress - fashfix (tally weijl) // shoes - new look // belt - oasap // clutch - primark // earrings - swarovski
 ~
I attended BYFEINE's launch party a couple weekends ago, and more recently I've had the honor of modelling for them as well (pictures coming in November!). With edgy pieces in minimalist hues, the "Feine Girl" is described by owner Elynn Yong as "luxe, feisty, and fine as f**k." A cosy gathering of fashionistas in the Candle Boutique on Bali Lane (which is normally a photography studio/multi-label store) celebrated the emerging label, and guests enjoyed free flows of Carlsberg and RedBull, BYFEINE's kind sponsors for the event. 

In an attempt to dress in mild accordance to the "Feine Girl," I chose a flirty olive-colored dress from Tally Weijl with cute tiers of fabric and an otherwise simple, comfortable silhouette. But here's the catch: it cost me a dollar. Yep, $1! I bought it at the launch of Fashfix.sg a couple months back, and that dress could very well be one of the best investments I've ever made. Take a look at Fashfix.sg's website here: it's a new, innovative way to shop people's closets and sell your own stuff - all at super low prices! Lastly, this gorgeous belt from OASAP pulled together this outfit (literally); the gold, brocade design is just too stunning!