Lifestyle

My ultimate holidays gift guide for all budgets that guarantees to make everyone smile – just gift me anything on my list and I will definitely be thrilled!

FOR MUMS

1. Slip Beauty Sleep Pure Silk Pillow Case – I want one too!

2. Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Gift Set – Highly recommend this ultimate luxurious anti-aging value pack for our mums

3. GHD Styler Limited Edition

4. Deborah Lippman Cuticle Set

5. Parlux Hair Dryer – Been using Parlux hairdryers for years, and it’s absolutely the best in the market. Will never go back to other brands!

6. Chanel Mini Brush Set LE – Classy, stylish and practical

FOR HER

1. MAC Finest Eyeshadow Palette – It’s only $86 for $160 worth of products

2. Tom Ford Lip Color Set – A great set that contains 4 best seller shades including Spanish Pink; Pink Dusk; Blush Nude and Casablanca

3. UD xGwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette LE

4. ChanLuu Cashmere and Silk Blend scarf – Love the color and feel of this scarf

5. L’Oreal Steampod – Thumbs up the best hair styling tool that straightens and conditions your hair at the same time! And love the white edition. (reviewed here)

6. PRADA Nylon Cosmetic Case – Reasonable priced for a Prada accessory, and it’s a fantastic practical cosmetic pouch that is roomy, light, ultra durable and washable.

7. Larsson & Jennings CM Rose Gold watch

8. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette – The best palette ever released from Hourglass

9. RabLabs Snowy Coasters – Marble is the new black for the stylish girls

10. Clarisonic Cleansing System LE – A life changer for cleansing (reviewed here)

11. Steven Klein for Nars Luxury lip set – Drooling over this set

12. Diptyque Candle Trio LE – I have an obsession with Diptyque candles, and especially the limited editions sets around the holidays season.

 

 

 

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NEW IN – Fendi Monster

September 16, 2015

Bought this little Fendi monster a while ago and finally had the chance to take some pictures. It’s cute (but not the usual girly cute) in its own unique way, and I think that’s what makes it appealing to me. Since I love investing in classic bags, this is a perfect accessory for adding a playful and whimsical spin to them. I bought mine at the Fendi boutique in the DFS Gallery in Australia (they have very limited stocks), and you can find them online here and here. There are also many affordable options such as this and this in the market now.

fendi-monster-bag-charm-red

fendi-monster-bag-charm-red-2hermes-birkin-black-35-fendi-monster-bag-charm-redOther products featured in the picture

Hermes Birkin 35 Black

Georg Jensen Candelabra

 

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I have recently re-organized my makeup bag before my trip to Sweden, so I thought I’ll do a ‘what’s in my bag’ post. The makeup pouch is from Louis Vuitton 2015 Summer Collection limited edition. I really like the bright pink V graphic on it and its matching hot pink interior – it is very on trend and adds a playful touch to a rather classic style! The size is also quite compact, and I like the round shape (rather than a flat pouch) so it’s great for holding lots of makeup!

louis-vuitton-lv-cosmetic-pouch-monogram-v-summer-2015-makeup-bagClockwise:

1. Dior Eye Reviver Eyeshadow Palette – reviewed here

2. Bobbi Brown Cheek Palette Pink – reviewed here

3. Suqqu Cheek Brush – The greatest investment you can make for a brush! I have been using it everyday for the past 3 years and it is still in perfect condition (reviewed here)

4. Chantecaille Corrector Concealing Pen – reviewed here

5. Beauty Bar 24k Gold – Highly recommend! I use this face massage tool whenever I can for an instant lifted contour (reviewed here).

6. Dior Rainbow Powder – I use it as a setting powder with a kabuki brush for a soft glow with a brightening effect (reviewed here).

7. BBrowBar Brow Pen – Best brow pen I have ever used (reviewed here)!

8. Charlotte Tilbury Liquid Pencil in Eye Cheat – Can’t live without this pencil now. I use it on the lower waterline and it instantly makes my eyes appear more awakened and bigger (reviewed here)

9. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Marron Glace –  A lovely rusty brown color I like to use on the along the lower lash line.

10. Chanel Le Volume Mascara – This mascara gives the most feathery fanned out lashes.

11. Dior Addict It Line– Review coming soon. Absolutely addicted to this liner!

12. Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in Roussy – reviewed here

The interior

louis-vuitton-lv-cosmetic-pouch-monogram-v-summer-2015-makeup-bag-review

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I am currently on vacation so Ill just quick share some of my absolute travel beauty essentials. After years of traveling, I came to realization that I don’t need to bring my entire bathroom vanity along with me! This edition is more for a summer holiday where my main priorities are skin-hydration, sun protection, and last but not least staying photogenic (even with binge eating everyday!)

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Skin Hydration

I chose to bring the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil in travel size with me – one of the very few brands that has makeup removal oil in travel size, and I have always been using the green one for traveling. It completely removes every trace of makeup and it’s not so oily but retains the moisture in your skin so it’s just perfect for hot weather. Then I do a second cleanse with any foam cleanser sample I can find with my beloved Clarisonic Cleansing Tool (reviewed here). I did not include the moisturizers in this post, as I am not that greatly fussed about it. I basically just grab a lot of sample moisturizers with me and use them along the way. The SK-II Facial Treatment Mask is an essential item for keeping my skin hydrated during holiday – I use one every night. After a day of exposure to the sun and chlorine, there is no moisturizer that does the same job as good as a nourishing mask for repairing and hydrating purposes.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is my passion now. I love bathing in the sun on holiday but with my current skin condition I have to be extra careful. The Shiseido Anessa Sunscreen is my go to sun protection line which I have been using for many years (my hubby also only wears this one!). It has a really high SPF, feels weightless and non drying, and best of all (for Asians),  this is the best one for tan proofing! I hardly get tanned if I wear this one liberally. The For Beloved One Advanced Whitening Arbutin plus Q10 Jelly is my new discovery. It’s a brightening and anti-pigmentation gel mask that can be used as a sleeping mask. I bought this one because this brand is known for their brightening sheet masks, so I thought I’d give this one a try. So far it’s been great as there is no darkening of any spots on my face even with the amount of outdoor activities that I do.

Photogenic

Taking pictures and selfies are the most important  things we do on holiday for girls. So as a blogger I feel ‘obligated’ to stay photogenic lol! Having a more lifted face shape (the v shape) is absolutely critical to look “better” in pictures and my secret weapon is the 24K Gold Beauty Bar. I am loving it so much as I have been raving about this tool to everyone around me, so I will definitely post a detailed review for it. In short, 5 minutes massaging face with this tool gives a noticeably more lifted and firm looking complexion that beats any face slimming/firming moisturizers in the market. I always use this one before taking FOTDs, and I love how portable this tool is.

Other products featured in the pictures include Celine Nano Luggage and Karen Walker Sunglasses.

 

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I am very excited about the long awaited Nordstrom 2014 Anniversary Sale which has officially open to the general public. Sales are normally for past season stock, and what sets this event different to others is that it is designed to encourage consumers to buy the new stock from the fall collections, and everything will go back to their original prices once the sale ends. This event is also known for their exclusive beauty sets and Gifts with Purchases for most beauty brands. I would totally buy up a storm if I was in the US! Here is my compilation of some great fashion and beauty finds (my absolute favorite has to be this Vince drape leather jacket)!

nordstrom-anniversary-sales-finds-20141. Vince Drape leather jacket

2. Theory fisherman sweater

3. Classic Entier Crepe and Leather dress

4. Rag and Bone Newbury Boots

5. Gents baseball cap

6. Nixon watch

7. Tory Burch Sunglasses

8. Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude color set

9. Nars Cheek Palette

10. Cara spike hinge cuff

11. Rebecca Minkoff Leather Bracelet

12. V-Bar Open Cuff

13. Halogen Ombre Cashmere Wrap

 

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It has been many months since my last update on my post pregnancy weight loss progress, and I’m happy to say that I have finally shed the extra kilos.  I have received many emails from my readers that they were also expecting or just became a new mum in the past 12 months. I’m so grateful to hear their stories so I thought I’d share my experience with you all too.

Set your expectations right

With all the celebs/models posting pictures of their sexier-and-skinnier-than-ever bodies shortly after giving birth, it’s creating a lot of unreal expectations on normal women like us. Unless you have a super fast metabolism or an entourage of people such as nutritionists, personal trainers etc at your disposal, the average time for most women to get back to their pre-pregnancy shape is about 9 months. It takes 9 months to give birth, so it is natural and normal for your body to “reverse back”. As for me, it took a total of 7 months to achieve my goal, with a disciplined eating plan and daily workout.

The workout that works – Pilates

I am not a “dance aerobics by myself in front of the TV” person – I like working out with other people and seeing them highly motivated!  So I try to go the gym every 2 days, or at least 3 times a week. My gym offers a range of different types of pilates and yoga classes, and my favorite is the pilates reformer class. It is the most amazing and effective workout to tone up whole body without bulking up, and it targets core strength so it promotes flat abs and good posture which is exactly what I need. I never thought I would say it but I really enjoy fitness these days!

Me on the reformer machine!

Portion control

No matter how much exercise you do, it’s redundant if you don’t control the food intake. I don’t diet, and I don’t believe in depriving myself from a complete range of food classes.  I find that the weight just bounces back as soon as I stop following the diet plan, and I cannot commit myself not to eat tasty food for a lifetime! I find the easiest way for me to lose weight is not to eat after 6pm (or 6:30 by latest), and no water after 9pm. I normally have a big breakfast, and eat whatever I want for lunch but at a small portion. For dinner I eat healthy and carbs free. This is tried and tested as this eating plan works every time I feel the need to shed some weight.

Some superfood I take throughout the day. I also drink a glass of green juice everyday – it’s the best natural remedy for detoxification.

Coconut Water, Organic Yoghurt, Chia Seed Pudding, Goji Berries, Quinoa

Please note that I am no expert in nutrition neither in fitness, this post is purely for sharing my own weight loss journey. Do you have any tips and advice to share?

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Some updates about me…

December 17, 2013

Hi everyone, seasons greetings to all of you! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday which is only days away! As for me, I’m thoroughly enjoying being a mum and spending every second with my precious boy hence the lacking of posts. And here is a quick update on what’s happening…

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1. After a long time of searching for the perfect new home, my hubby and I have finally found the place. It is located in a beautiful stroller (as well as pet) friendly area and we have just moved in recently. So far I still have lots of boxes to unpack, and styling of the house is not completely done yet. Interior design has always been my hobby so this is the perfect opportunity for me to put my ideas into practice!  I would love to show you my new place (including my custom built closet) one day 🙂

2. My boy is 4 months old, and watching him grow and smile at me are the most rewarding and delightful moments in my life now. I have so much admiration for other mothers who choose to stay home to look after their children – it is a much harder job than anything else! I am a very hands-on mum  just completely exhausted at the end of the day, and there is no ‘day off’.

3.  As a result of lacking of motivation, as well as spending a great amount of time in front the TV to catch up on the Kardashian family businesses lol, my weight is still the same as the previous update and it is very frustrating! So I have enrolled myself into the gym and I’m loving the feeling of working out again (I highly recommend the Elixr health club if you like all sort of pilates and yoga), and hopefully I’ll see some great results soon.

 

 

 

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It’s a BOY!

September 3, 2013

Three weeks ago, my little bundle of joy arrived into this world. He decided to give mummy a surprising kick the day before my birthday so my water broke, and he was delivered the day after my birthday after a painful 38 hours of labour! Thinking back, I had no idea how I was able to pull it through. It’s only been 3 weeks but I felt it’s been a decade. My whole world has changed since his arrival – being a parent is what matters to me the most now. Yes, the pregnancy, the labour and post delivery recovery were all difficult, but it’s all worth it every time I look at my precious little beautiful boy. He brings the utmost joy and happiness to my family. And just like every mother, he is the cutest and most beautiful baby in my eyes.

I have mostly recovered after locking myself at home and stuffing myself with loads of food for confinement (which is an Asian thing) for the past few weeks. I will be on maternity leave for 6 months which I hope will allow me to lose all the baby weight and update my blog as much as I can.

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