EQ:IQ F/W 08

One day, I happened to pass by an newly opened store in Raffles City shopping centre. In the display window was a gorgeous poster of a tall, willowy model leaning against a white wall dressed in full black with a shock of yellow on her head and heels. From that moment on, I was hooked.


I love everything about this fall/winter collection from EQ:IQ. From the ingenious colour palette (seeing that photo was what sparked off my interest in playing with colour accents via shoes and hats) to beautiful chic silhouettes to voluminous floaty print dresses with tights to lush and cold landscapes… I would love to own every piece in this collection, especially the black dress that’s paired with red tights. Another favourite would be the outfit comprising of the grey cardigan, brown shirt-dress and black beret — earthy tones that are perfect for easing into the fall/winter season. There are so many elements that are characteristic of a great fall ensemble — tights, check. cardigan, check. oxfords, check. beret, check. striking silhouette? check check check!

I could go through these photos over and over in a dreamy bliss.

( Sorry this post is rather photo-heavy. I just love all of these so much and couldn’t resist sharing them with you.)

photo credits:
EQ:IQ

mad about plaid

I’m really into plaid now. There’s just something about the simple, ordered design that draws me to it. It’s enough to be a lovely focal point of any outfit. I’d like to have a dozen plaid shirts – some plainly coloured and others a whole riot of colour like this one on the girl in the photo taken by the Sartorialist. (I didn’t realize the way I wore my shirt was similar to that of the girl in the photo! Had only just found this photo. Interesting how regardless of how many people there are in the world and despite the many thousands of styles there are, there are always some that coincide…)

This plaid shirt-dress is a recent addition to my closet and today was the first time I wore it out. Apart from this I only have another H&M dress and that’s about it for plaid in my closet. Time to keep an eye out for more of such items especially plaid skirts which I really hope to get this Christmas when I go to Seattle to visit my uncle’s family. I’m so looking forward to visiting them… Christmas in the U.S is unlike Christmas anywhere else in the world if you ask me. Simply driving by the streets at night is enough to melt the icy cold heart of any habitual scrooge because of the wonderful display of Christmas lights you can often find adorning houses and front yards. Shall do a Christmas post soon =) simply thinking about Christmas gives me the warm fuzzies. Is that the same for you?

shirt-dress: Muji (flea market)
tights: random shop
sandals: Aldo (mum’s)
bag: Ruche
belt: shop in Heeren

(post updated)

here comes the sun

The sun came out in the afternoon and was relentless in its scorching of the earth today. Naturally humidity levels were high as well. The skirt and top helped make things a little cooler. The entire outfit save for the sandals and scarf was thrifted at one of the first thrift stores I visited a couple of months back. There isn’t really an active thrifting scene here which is a shame, seeing how there are so many great outfits people can put together for a very reasonable price in other countries.

Here’s a close up of the skirt — there are actually little bits of reflective material individually sewned across the skirt that I really like. Hmm unfortunately it can’t really be seen very well in this photo, my apologies!

I love this pair of sandals though; they belong to my mum and she got them from one of the many small but exceedingly crowded shops in Japan earlier this year. (I think we might’ve been in the Shibuya 109 building.) At that that I took one look at her selection and grimaced because I wasn’t sure what sort of strange design that was supposed to be! I had strongly discouraged her from buying them at first but thankfully she was stubborn enough to purchase them… because they’re so comfy and go so well with long skirts and other more ‘bohemian’ outfits Just need a cowboy hat to finish off this look.

Hope everyone’s been having a good week~

skirt and top: thrifted
scarf: shop in Holland Village
sandals: mum’s

(post updated)

C for Chic

If I’d seen this lady on the street I would’ve stopped in my steps to stare. Everthing about this outfit just oozes fantastic personal style. It’s professional in a casual chic manner and there are hints of her personality shining through her chosen bangles and spectacles. There’s something about those spectacles that add to the effect… Has anyone worn fake spectacles before just to add to the look of an outfit? I feel rather tempted after seeing this photo…

photo credits: garance dore

facehunter in Singapore!!?

To my shock, I was alerted of that fact that the facehunter, Yvan, will be in Singapore from today till friday!

Thanks Eleh for telling us all about it! X) This is something that’s so exciting! I can’t wait to see what sort of photos he’ll be able to take of Singaporeans… am crossing my fingers that there’ll be many who’ll dispel the stereotype that Singaporeans aren’t fashion forward/stylish.

wild dreams

This is what happens when you give someone with a shoe craving a day off from school.

I dream of the day I can open my shoe cabinet to all of these babies! While I enjoy looking at runway collections and couture, there are certain shoes that just baffle me with their insane heels and offbeat design. Perhaps that collage will be for another day since I don’t actively save photos of shoes that I’d never want to own. For today it’s mostly shoes that I can imagine myself wearing and that I think would be great focal points for outfits. The plaid canvas shoes are nothing eye-opening but they would be nice for a casual day out and those yohji yamamoto boots… well i’ve my crazy moments too.

1.Nicholas Kirkwood2. f21 platform stilettos 3. River Island gladiator high heels 4. yohji yamamoto tattooed boots 5. Urban Outfitters suede pumps 6. River Island block heel court shoes 7. Urban Outfitters cage heels 8. Marni peep toe heels 9. f21 plaid canvas shoes 10. Ann Demeulemeester boots

H&M spring 2009 lookbook

Even though I haven’t even seen photos from the much hyped Commes des Garcon for H&M collection (which I plan to look through eventually sometime this week), I happened to come across the lookbook for the Spring 2009 collection. Lots of impressive designs with a play on proportions (huge tops/coats cinched in at the waist) and mixing of classic flowy feminine items with more masculine streamlined ones (poufy dress with fitted men’s blazer). Susie Bubble recented posted on tiered dresses and knitwearand it seems like there might be a shift in trend towards tiered tops and dresses in days to come. Not that I’d mind. =) I find it such dresses to have a rather girly, feminine feel to them…though they should be worn in moderation. I happen to have a lovely tiered dress which I got from H&M when I was there for a holiday a few months back but have never gone round to wearing it because it’s a little dressy for daily wear. Looks like it’s time to take it out of the closet…



This week is a really relaxing week for me academically since the Dean’s Office happened to be extremely (and rarely) kind in giving us only a few practical slots to go to school for throughout the week. Unfortunately I feel compelled to stay at home to attempt some studying because I’ve got a sinking feeling the rest of my class is hard at work already (as medical students should be ;p). However I can’t seem to focus very much and my eyes keep drifting to the laptop screen in search for more collections or ideas for blog posts. Does anyone else feel that blogging/blog surfing is an obession, really? I could spend indefinite hours reading blogs and then linking to other blogs and fashion/photography sites and before I know it half the day is over with my textbook still at the same page.

This is sheer indulgence…!

photo credits: ByJasmine

525600 minutes…and counting

I can hardly believe it’s been a year since I got together with the boy. I love all sorts of celebrations especially anniversaries since there’s always so much goodwill and happiness involved (and of course it’s always a good reason to dress up!).

Wore one of my favourite dresses that I happened to procure by a stroke of luck a couple of weeks back at Haji Lane (everything great happens there!). I had actually been looking for vintage belts in a hurry and happened to discover this dress on a ‘for sale’ rack at one store. In the end I ended up leaving the street with 0 belts and 1 great dress. Funny how things work out sometimes… I call it serendipity. =)

Today was a day of heavenly apple crumble and vanilla ice cream, quiet moments in a quiet cafe, walking along wet sidewalks hand in hand, warmth in a cold bus trundling home.

Ever heard of the song, Seasons of Love, in the broadway musical, Rent? It’s such an uplifting song and though the lyrics can be considered cheesy I find it grows with meaning and significance each time I hear it. Especially today.

at haji lane

Popped by Haji lane today after my french lesson and walked around… it’s one of my favourite places and I can’t believe I only just discovered it this year. I find that the best time to walk down Haji lane would be early saturday afternoon because stores are just opening and most of the shoppers haven’t arrived yet. The only people around at that time are the shopowners on either side of the lane and beyond, the occasional tourists who always seem to pause a short while before moving on since at first glance it seems like any other nondescript sideroad and a few other youngsters strolling through.

Though it was hot today, it’s always a nice feeling just being there, observing and noticing quirks of the place (comfy cushion along the corridor?/bits of graffiti on the walls/pieces of paint flaked off the walls dotting the corridor). There’s such a different feel to the place compared to the more central, bustling parts of Singapore. It’s almost like walking straight into another time zone.

Didn’t have that much time to walk down the entire street today (and my feet were starting to get blistered from those new second-hand topshop wedges ><) but managed to take a couple of pictures… hope to share more with you another time.

blazer: shop in HK
top: Zara (from flea market)
shoes: Topshop (from flea market)
jeans: XT2

that first step

I read a post that Shea from The Ongoing Project wrote yesterday with much interest. It was about developing your personal style and stepping out of your comfort zone in terms of mixing, matching and buying clothing items you normally wouldn’t give a second glance at in stores. It’s something that resonated quite a bit with me since I’m still trying to work out a style for myself. Currently when describing my style I’m still stuck with a rather amorphous word –”varied”. I’m at the point in my life where I’ve started exposing myself to the most stylistic influences as of yet and I’m still trying to figure out what works, what doesn’t, what I like and what I can create for myself. One thing’s for sure though — courage is required. Courage to experiment with different styles, different colours, different looks. Courage to walk out on the streets in something daring and completely unlike what people have come to expect of you. Courage to look beyond the stares and say to yourself, this is me, this is me telling the world who I am through my clothes.

This is not a new outfit for I did blog about it a couple of posts back (except for a change in stockings and shoes!) but today was the first time I wore it to class. I got up in the morning wondering what I should wear for today and naturally it swung between the routine jeans + tank top outfit and something a little more. At first I was a little apprehensive about wearing something so much ‘dressier’ than normal but then I realized, what was I waiting for? There are times when we tell ourselves, I’ll save this outfit for a more special occasion/I’ll start wearing these nicer outfits in the future; now’s not the right time because my friends will get a real shock and start asking me questions about why I’ve changed etc… There are a whole lot of reasons/excuses we could give ourselves for not wanting to try something new with our outfits. The truth is, there probably isn’t a better time to experiment and discover a side of ourselves that we never knew than right now.

The funny thing is, that when I dress better in the morning, I actually feel better throughout the day. ;p Less sleepy in class, more conscious of who I am and the image I project to the world.

So what are you waiting for? =) Are you going to challenge yourself and put on a great outfit tomorrow morning?

shirt and skirt: Forever 21
flats: shop in HK
belt: dorothy perkins
tights: pulled out of closet