FILM: Argo

On Monday, M and I caught Argo. And just like what the sister said, the film left you holding your breath. I swear my heart was in my throat towards the end of film and my legs were trying to run with them. Yes, I was actually running while seated. In the theatre.

While we walked down the aisle at the end of our emotional marathon, someone behind me commented that the cinematic wasn't good. But I like how contrasting music was used during the chaotic scenes. And okay, I can't quite comment on anything else because I'm no film critic. But the film was good for me because even though I knew all would be saved in the end, there were still moments when my heart rate quickened, when I couldn't breathe and the whole time, I dreaded the (im)possibility that they would be discovered.

And when I was left to my thoughts at night, I couldn't help but wonder what I would do if I were Tony Mendez. And then, it made me think about Judgment Day. Something which I haven't done since I was in my early teens. When I was first asked if I would deny Christ when the day came, I answered with a fierce no. But before I slept, I thought about it again and I realized that it wasn't a definite no. Who's to say that I won't wet my pants in the face of death and try and bury my head in the ground? Given my pretty shaky foundation of faith now, the unfortunate has a greater possibility of happening.

But anyway, back to Mendez (I really didn't mean to talk about religion.). I teared when he wrote a postcard to his son and told him he would miss his birthday (Okay, tears are threatening to fall. Now.) and when his wife didn't pick up his call. I trembled when he past through checkpoints and when the soldiers eyed him with a mixture of suspicion and slight hatred . And I thought to myself that I didn't have his strength. At all. But you know, how people always say that in trying times, we draw strength from somewhere (From God, the Christian part of me says.) and we pull amazing feats... So I'm comforting myself with this thought, that I have the possibility of not being a total coward when the time comes.

And times like this, I really wish I had a black belt in Karate. But the girly me really doesn't want to get bashed up.

REVIEW: Bio-Oil

A month back, I received an invitation to a tea party organized by Bio-Oil. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it but Lay Peng very kindly sent me a bottle so that I can try it. Thanks so much, Lay Peng! :D

Bio-Oil is the bane of existence for scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, ageing skin and dehydrated skin. It is a summation of natural plant oils (Which enhance the skin's condition) and vitamins (Which promote healthy-looking skin.). The two make an equation in an oil base, which allows 'the formulation to be oxygen-free, which helps to ensure that the natural plant oils and vitamins maintain their maximum potency prior to application'. The key ingredients are

Calendular Oil: Clarifies and conditions the skin.
Lavender Oil: Conditions the skin.
Rosemary Oil: Invigorates and conditions the skin.
Chamomile Oil: Calms and soothes the skin and is especially beneficial for sensitive skin.
Vitamin A: Improves the skins's elasticity, texture and tone.
Vitamin E: Increases moisture content of the skin's epidermis and makes the skin softer, smoother and more suuple.

For many of us who feel that oils just sit on our skin, lie there forever, make us greasy and then, give us clogged pores... Well, Bio-Oil spells a different story. This oil is going to sink into your skin, instead of sitting on it. And the secret to this lies in the addition of the PurCellin Oil. The PurCellin oil is a breakthrough ingredient that 'reduces the consistency of Bio-Oil, making it a rapidly absorbed 'dry' oil that delivers the natural plant oils and vitamins into the skin where they are most needed'.

The 60ml bottle is slightly bigger than a palm. The oil is poured out easily from the opening on the top of the bottle and it is easy to 'dictate' the number of drops you want. However, I find that some oil always gets onto the area around the opening.

For the past month, I have used Bio-Oil primarily on my body and especially on a scar on my right leg which I got from shaving (Epilate, ladies! Ditch the blades! I practically shaved a strip of my skin off. Literally. It was sitting in between the blades of my pink shaver, mocking me.). I used about 2-3 drops each for my neck, arms, stomach and legs and a single drop on my scar alone.

And these days, I find my skin looking and feeling a lot happier. The skin tone on my arms is pretty uneven; there are dark patches all over because I don't tan evenly (And hence, never ever tan again.). They are slight but noticeable. But they have lightened quite a bit with Bio-Oil, something which I wasn't really expecting. My skin also feels smoother and has like a 'spring' to it. My elbows aren't dry anymore, even when I don't apply the oil.

The unfortunate scar on my leg is still visible but it has lightened quite a bit too, with the top being a lot fainter than the bottom. I reckon you will see quicker and more obvious results on fresh, superficial scars but for old and deep ones, you do need to be more patient (A 3-month long, twice-daily application is recommended in order to see results.).

However, Bio-Oil seems to be heavily scented and right at top of its ingredients list is Paraffinum Liquidum, which is Mineral Oil, and that's why I draw the line when it comes to face application. I really wish there was a version that came without the addition of fragrances because with all the natural plant oils in it, it should have a pleasant scent on its own. As for mineral oil, there are 2 camps where the benefits and dangers of it are concerned. It's actually found in many of our products and it's really up to you to decide if you are for it or against it.

Bio-Oil can be found in Watsons at $15.50.

P.S.: Just for your 411, gorgeous model Apryl Mueller mentioned in a recent Into The Gloss' interview that she uses Bio-Oil to rid herself of redness, dark eye circles and scars. You can read the interview here. (:

P.P.S.: Hey ladies! I was exchanging emails with Lay Peng and she told me that she uses Bio-Oil on her face. I just wanted to highlight the fact that Bio-Oil is both hypoallergenic and hypo-acnegenic, for those who are interested in using it as a facial oil but are a tad worried. (:

HAUL: So umm... I have been hauling...

I know I have been really quiet with my haul entries... I mean, my last haul, according to my blog, was in September! Can it be true that me, Charlene J. Lee, has eradicated hauling from my life?!?

Of course not! Haha. It will never ever happen. Like ever (Haha. I'm loving Taylor Swift's new album by the way.). This entry showcases the products that I bought during the past one and a half month. I made sure that I bought things that I really needed... Okay, that sentence is completely useless. If you ever have a chance to listen to my justifications for buying things, you will know that I need EVERYTHING. Heh. But I did steer clear from eyeshadow palettes, blushers, highlighters and the ilk. Like those that are considered the 'most unnecessary' items... Out of all the unnecessary ones. Haha.

Alrighty. Enough rambling and... Meet the new additions to my ever-growing beauty family! :D

La Roche-Posay's Toleraine Fluid is one oil-free moisturizer that is incredibly lightweight. It sinks into the skin quickly and keeps my skin hydrated pretty much the whole day. I do, however, find myself applying this more than once if I spend long hours wrapped in artificial cold air (Which is pretty frequent nowadays. I mean, gosh! Singapore IS one massive furnace. I try to stay indoors as much as possible during the day! When the rain comes and everyone's grumbling, you find me doing a dance in my head even though I'm soaking wet.).

La Roche-Posay's Hydraphase Intense Légère was what I used before Toleraine Fluid. Though it did a splendid job in moisturizing my skin, this isn't oil-free. Those with dry skin will certainly enjoy this. My fellow dehydrated friends will enjoy Toleraine Fluid instead.

Eucerin is a brand that I really love and it's pretty evident in the above photo. Heh. The AQUAporin ACTIVE Light has really fantastic reviews online and I want to try it out for myself. Unfortunately, this comes with fragrance so I doubt I will repurchase this, even if I really like it in the end. Anyway, this is pretty pricey but Robinsons was having some package deal so I got 2 for $59.90.

La Roche-Posay's UVIDEA XL Melt-In BB Cream SPF50 PA+++ in 02 is what I have been using since my facial. I wanted something that was healthy for my skin and this was the most suitable candidate then. I have tried Vichy's foundation and B.B. cream but unfortunately, my skin doesn't have any love for them. This, on the other hand, seems to make my skin smile. Lightweight and in the right shade, it sits comfortably on my skin for a good 5 hours and gives a semi-dewy look. Coverage is on the light side. I don't dust finishing powders at all, so I do oil up within the first hour (I just grab a piece of tissue paper and dab away.). I really enjoy this but I may have found something else that makes my skin smile wider and could possibly dethrone this (Read on!).

Eucerin's DermoPURIFYER Cover Stick is the first concealer that I use on a regular basis. Though I am the owner of a couple of concealers from other brands, I hardly ever touch them. But since going all healthy-healthy and using La Roche-Posay's UVIDEA XL Melt-In BB Cream SPF50 PA+++, which I mentioned has light coverage, I wanted a 'healthy' concealer too. So I did my research and got this when it was on sale. Together with the B.B. cream, this duo gives me skin that's natural-looking and almost-flawless. I really enjoy using this and will most probably repurchase this. The only thing is that this is meant for blemishes; it treats and covers them. And I always forget about this, that it isn't a concealer concealer so sometimes, I use this on my eye bags... Which I don't think it's very good for the really thin skin there. :\

Eucerin's DermoPURIFYER Active Night Care and DermoPURIFYER Active Concentrate are old friends, especially the former. I got them at the recent Watsons sale and they were each 5 to 6 bucks cheaper. SCORE!!! Haha.

Uriage's Déodorant Tri-Actif is my first deodorant in years! I have really sensitive skin so deodorants cause a lot of grief for me. I got this because Uriage is actually a brand that I have been eyeing on and this contains the Thermal Spring Water and is alcohol-free, gas-free and hypoallergenic. I have only used this a couple of times and it's not too bad. It's light, keeps me fresh all day and my skin doesn't react to it.

Jorubi's Aloe Vera Gel is godsent! I use this on wounds and they heal really quickly and nicely. I have also been applying this on my eczema areas and it helps to stop the itch. Just a little of it will suffice. I find that if I get too generous with it, it dries to a thin film, which doesn't feel all that comfy.

Everyday Minerals' foundation colour testers in Fair, Fairly Light and Multi-Tasking Neutral and finishing powder testers in Finishing Dust and Sunlight Finishing Dust are just some things which I want to try. I have used the foundations before and they are pretty okay. Not fabulous but they do their jobs and I don't break out. Each set was $2 each, from NaturaWorks.

Dita Von Teese is one of the most beautiful women walking on this Earth right now and I love her style so much. A while ago, Into The Gloss interviewed her and she mentioned that Obliphica 'totally changed (her) life'. I did my research and found that the core of Obliphica's products lies in the Sea Buckthorn, so I decided to get Sibu Beauty's Organic Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil when I saw it on NaturaWorks. This is really pricey; $24.90 for 10ml. Even though this is meant for the face, I will be using this on my permed hair instead. Fingers crossed that this is gold.

(I just started using VOM FASS's Grapeseed Oil on my face at night again. I was using it during the months of July and August and then, forgot about it completely. This happens to be Emma Stone's beauty secret.)

Shu Uemura's Eyelash Curler is my 2nd eyelash curler. I actually own the Anna Sui one but I never learnt how to use it properly so I... Well, basically just let it sit prettily in my cupboard. Fel was talking about eyelash curlers a few weeks back and we decided to check the Shu Uemura one. And it just so happened that the Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura Holiday Collection 2012 was launched that day.

The Shu lady taught us how to use the eyelash curler properly, which isn't hard at all and makes quite a significant difference (Seriously, Chalene. Why did you never learn how to use one before this!), and we both got one each. This is $28, unlike the 'normal' one which is $32. However, do note that this is made in Taiwan, instead of Japan. I read this in a blogger's tweet and when I checked with the Shu lady, she insisted that this was made in Japan and that everything was made in Japan. Not that it matters to me and she was very nice, but still, I think that it's the duty of the counter ladies to know their stuff. I do wonder if there's any difference though.

VMV Hypoallergenics is a brand that I met in my October Vanity Trove. I have yet to use my samples but just the other day, dear Juliet blogged about her loot from the brand here. And being the curious cat, I started googling and googling and it quickly escalated into wanting. Then, needing (As usual.).

Initially, I had my heart set on the Antioxidant 2-Way Powder Foundation because I came across a review of it that seriously praised it to high heavens. Unfortunately, this hasn't made its way to our country yet. ): The VMV Hypoallergenics lady showed me the Illuminants Brilliant Finish (SPF) 25 Powder Foundation instead.

The foundation comes in 6 shades, a pretty limited offering. I was trying to decide between Macadamia (Yellow-based.) and Light Truffle (Pink-based.). I usually pick pink-based foundations because yellow-based ones make me look really sick and off but Light Truffle, though being pink and all, was way too dark for me. So I ended up getting Macadamia at $58 (Not cheap at all. ): ) and used it earlier today and...

... OMG!!! I do believe that my skin has found her soul mate! And yes, this may be the reason why I won't be purchasing La Roche-Posay's UVIDEA XL Melt-In BB Cream SPF50 PA+++ anymore. The colour fitted me better than I expected. I applied the foundation the dry way and it gave me flawless skin in the most natural way. Usually, I find that powder foundations emphasize the many milia seeds on my face. But this didn't! However, it did highlight the little dry bits on the tip of my nose.

I went out with this for 2 hours, walking under the blazing sun and came back all sweaty but with a T-zone that was only slightly oily. I usually oil up really fast so this was surprising. It didn't oxidise on me and sat very comfortably on my skin the entire time. BUT the thing that really got me jumping up and down was that when I washed the foundation off, my skin felt so, so friggin' soft! I kept touching my skin during my shower to make sure that I wasn't dreaming! Also, the dry bits on the tip of my nose seemed to have vanish into thin air (The lady did tell me that this would help moisturize my skin.)!

But before I get carried away and order a whole box of it from the website, I need to restrain and remind myself that this is but only a first impression. I shall test it out properly for a few months first and if all goes well, I'm sticking to this for the rest of my life!

(But of course, I'll try the Antioxidant 2-Way Powder Foundation too. Afterall, that was my first choice.)

The other item that I got from VMV Hypoallergenics is the Illuminants+Axillight: Treatment Antiperspirant. Free from parabens, preservatives and fragrances, non-comedogenic and non-drying, I'm excited to see how this works out for my skin. (:

Oh yes! I got this at $38, instead of the retail price of $48. (: Right now, if you spend $50 and above at VMV Hypoallergenics, you get a $10 voucher which can be used on your next purchase.

Anyway, besides the whole lot that I mentioned above, I also bought Kate's Super Sharp Liner in RD-1. This limited edition red eyeliner is part of the Fall/ Winter Collection 2012. I tested this out in the stores and it's a pretty deep red so no worries about your eyelids looking like they are bleeding. Unfortunately, this isn't waterproof.

For my permed tresses, I also bought Simply Organic's Bangs & Ends Defining Creme and Control Medium Hold Hair Spray off Amazon. These were used on my hair during the styling demonstration at Ecorganics. I'm planning a trip back to the salon once I'm done with my exams. Thinking of giving my hair a new wash of colour. (:

I'm pretty sure there are some other stuff that I have bought, packed into my cupboard and totally forgot about. But yep, these are my more 'significant' and more recent purchases. (: Hope you enjoyed reading this entry! :D

P.S.: I'm sorry for the current trickling of posts, especially for reviews, and for starting my recent entries with '___(insert a number)___ weeks back, I attended...'. I'm on the very last lap of my education and so, things are pretty hectic now. I'll be back in full swing on December 7th though, which is only a couple more weeks away. Till then, wish me luck (I need so much of it!) and take care! :D

EVENT: Premiere of SK-II's Revolutionary Boutique at Tangs Beauty

On November 9th, SK-II opened her doors to her newest beauty boutique at the newly revamped Tangs Beauty Hall, Tangs Orchard. Spanning an area of 29m², 'the new boutique is the latest addition to SK-II's latest beauty arsenal of iconic boutiques and boasts a series of world-class designs coupled with a conducive retail space that dimensionalize the unique Pitera heritage at the heart of SK-II'.

"SK-II has grown from strength to strength over the years and the opening of our newly revamped beauty boutique at Tangs Beauty is a testament of our commitment to meet the needs of our growing pool of shoppers. At SK-II, we strive to exceed shoppers' expectations by combining personalized beauty counselling with breakthrough skincare innovations - all within an easily navigable space to allow shoppers to browse at ease."
- Miss Loo Lee Lee, SK-II Group Sales Manager (Singapore)

If you will take a look at the ceiling, this is SK-II's first ever 3D crystal ceiling. It 'plays with natural light to express the miracle of Pitera on skin, bringing to life the key dimensions of radiance, translucence, youthfulness and luminous glow'.

There is also the Essence Source, which is a 'display for the iconic Facial Treatment Essence with animating Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) that glorify the mircale of SK-II's Pitera heritage.

The boutique is flanked by 'a series of LED Wall Screens to showcase SK-II's newest innovations and heritage'.

You also have iPads which come installed with an SK-II app. This helps you to do a quick diagnosis of your own skin, just in case you're a tad too shy to approach the SK-II beauty consultants. (: But really, they are all very friendly. I have visited the counters a couple of times, not as part of media, and they helped me with huge genuine smiles on their faces. (:

Then, of course, there is the Magic Ring which I blogged about here and which you will see later (Scroll down! (: ). And just a little more information about it...

The Magic Ring was exclusively developed by SK-II's Research & Development innovation centre in Kobe, Japan. It comes with skin imaging counselling tools that will identify your specific Ageless Vector. This allows the SK-II ladies to personalize your very own anti-ageing skincare regimen to optimize your skin's ageing needs.

At the premiere, I did a different skin analysis with the above hand-held device. This device tells you your current hydration and sebum (Both the T-zone and U-zone) scores. Again, this analysis can be done with makeup on or off. (:

One unique thing about this device is that it can also detect your skin tone; whether it leans on the cool (Blue.) or warm (Yellow.) side and how pink your skin was. My skin tone was all the way over at the blue part of the spectrum, with tons of pink in it. This matched me with SK-II's foundation colour of 420. (:

Our two very beautiful hosts for the day!

And here's one of the SK-II beauty consultant conducting the Magic Ring counselling on one of the hosts. (:

And here's Vanessa Ward, SK-II Design Manager, Global Prestige. Currently working with 13 markets to create holistic experiences for SK-II's customers at the counters, Vanessa has 11 years of experience in the design industry under her belt. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Australian National University and then, went on to Eindhoven's Design Academy and Glasgow School, where she graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy, focusing on Architectonic Jewellery.

Since joining the SK-II family, she has been involved in the creation and conception of SK-II counters; 'specializing in establishing the brand's architecture to reinforce the brand's equity and strength, through creating and developing shopper-profiling and identifying opportunities'.

SK-II's revolutionary boutique was officially opened on October 24th. To celebrate the premiere of it, SK-II will be giving away an exclusive Ashley Isham pouch with every purchase of the Best of the Best Christmas Conffret. (: Do pop by the counter when you are in the area, get your skin checked and perhaps get a treat for your skin. Happy Sunday, ladies! :D

information and some photos extracted from press kit provided.

FOOD: Saveur

A few months back, the sister was feeling generous and decided to give the brother, M and I a treat at Saveur, a gem she uncovered recently (Back then. She has since uncovered many other new gems and you can check her blog here. She blogs about fashion, books, films and music too. She's the artsy one in the family. (: ).

Located at Purvis Street, Saveur is 'the brainchild of two young and enterprising friends who decided to pursue their dreams. After stints at various fine diners like Guy Savoy, Fifty Three and Tetsuya's in Sydney, they discovered that there is a need to provide quality French fare at affordable prices. Armed with an entrepreneur rigor and wit, Saveur was set up.'

The nearest station is Bugis and it's one street and a few steps across the National Library. Saveur doesn't take in reservations so if waiting long is not your thing, do make sure you go early.

We reached the place around 11.30am, on a Friday. After leaving our names at the front desk, we sat on the chairs lined outside and of course, whipped out our gadgets.

Noon came and we got our seats immediately. Saveur takes up two rectangular rooms. The place is adorned with chandeliers and has torn walls, with red bricks peeking out of them. Simple and classy.

The tables were taken up quickly, by many in suits.

Here's shot of the lunch menu.

I'm an addict of Soft rolls ($2) and these came with unsalted butter. Soft (Duh!) and fresh, these made a great prelude to the meal ahead!

Angel Hair Pasta with Sherry Minced Pork and Sakura Ebi ($3.90) was one of the 2 dishes which the sister highly recommended. When the dish first came, I caught a whiff of the dish and whoo boy! The combination of the minced pork and ebi was really pungent to me. But the sis reassured me that it was nothing like it smelt. True enough, the first mouthful led to a second and within minutes, my plate was as clean as a whistle!

M is very sensitive to smells so when his plate came, he went "Umm... It's quite smelly.". But the same thing happened after he shoved the first spoonful of pasta into his mouth. (:

The other dish that the sister insisted that we try was the Confit of Duck with Orange Segments and Sauté Shittake ($9.90). This was absolutely heavenly!!! The duck was crispy outside, without being charred. The inside was soft enough and slightly chewy. The duck lay on a soft pillow of mashed potato that went nicely with it but was a tad too much. Well, you can always choose not to finish it... Which was, of course, not something I did. I love mashed potatoes (I used to call them 'smashed potatoes'. Haha. Kids.)! I wish it came with more mushrooms though, because these little fungi were juicy and bursting with flavours!

Saveur is a place for simple yet delectable French cuisine. Prices, as you can see, are unbelievably friendly. The portions may look small but as the axiom goes 'Don't judge a book by its cover.'. At the end of the meal, all our tummies were purring with satisfaction and we couldn't stuff another mouthful even though we really wanted to.

However, Saveur isn't exactly a place you pick to hang out and chill with your buds. The place had a somewhat fast-food like ambiance where you order, you eat and you go. Perhaps, it's because of all the suits around you having conversations with words like 'spreadsheets' and 'logistical'. Or just, you know, office gossip. But anyway, yes, I will definitely return to Saveur and most certainly recommend that you do, when you're in a good mood and don't mind a little wait. (:

SAVEUR
05 Purvis Street, (S)188584
Tel.: +65 6333 3121
URL: http://www.saveur.sg

EVENT: Better Vision's BVAX x Bloggers' Party

Two Wednesdays ago, I headed down to Better Vision's Novena outlet to try out the store's BVAX 12-Step Program. Thank you Ellie for the invitation! :D

The cutting-edge BVAX 12-Step Program was designed by Better Vision. It allows their eye care professionals to prescribe you a pair of glasses that is the most optimal and that fits into your lifestyle perfectly.

Before the details of the program are unraveled, let's take a look at the wide array of frames that Better Vision offers!

Comfy Croc has come up with the classic rectangular full-rim and half-rim frames. These frames will flatter round faces, elongating them and making them appear slimmer. They will also balance out soft, round facial features. (:

Be@rbrick was created by Japanese brand, Medicom. The little bear started out as an adult collectible toy and quickly gathered a strong cult following. The frames, just like the collectibles, are produced in limited number so chances are that you probably won't meet someone with the exact same frame as you. Yay to being unique! :D

Agnes B., one of my favourite brands, is also available at Better Vision. Designed with the stylish girl in mind, this brand is the epitome of French chic. You will certainly find a pair of frames that will bring you from zero to Alexa Chung's Geek Chic! The wide frames will keep the natural balance of oval-shaped faces.

I stumbled upon the brand Superdry when I was searching for tees for M (With the introduction of M into my life, I'm becoming more aware of men's fashion.). This brand comes from the hands of those who have made glasses for musical legends like John Lennon and Ozzy Osbourne.

The frames are given snazzy names like Brando, Riley and Jetstar... So it's totally normal if you feel like a superstar/ rockstar after putting these frames on! Some of the top of the frames have been embellished with leather accents and cool, bare aluminum coatings. Hence, making them perfect for those with an 'inner Johnny Depp Complex that is straining to get out'.

There are also frames for the kids, with really funky colours! A possible outlet for self-expression, you think?

And now it's time for the BVAX 12-Step Program! Here's an outline of the program:

Step 1: Patient Evaluation// To act as guideline for identifying eye disorders.
Step 2: Objective Refraction Test// Auto Refractometer to measure the corrective power of the eye.
Step 3: Subjective Refraction Test// A more accurate assessment for short/ long sightedness.
Step 4: Fan Chart and Cross Cylinder Test// Assess degree of astigmatism and angles to place astigmatism lens.
Step 5: Visual Acuity Test// Ensure the best possible vision performance.
Step 6: Duo-Chrome Test// Ensure short/ long sighted is not under/ over corrected.
Step 7: Binocular Balancing// Ensure both eyes are equally balanced in clarity/ sharpness for comfortable vision.
Step 8: Near Vision Test// Assess if a reading prescription (long sighted( is needed for patients who are 38 years old and above.
Step 9: Colour Vision Test// Determine if there is a colour deficiency i.e. not being able to differentiate red and green. It is a defect in the X chromosome.
Step 10: Binocular Vision Assessment:// Assess if there are abnormalities with the eye muscles.
Step 11: Vision Analysis// Review and analyse data obtained from all tests and make a final adjustments to prescription if necessary.
Step 12: Patient Management// To explain a patient's situation and give appropriate advice.

Friendly Hui Shan was my optometrist that day. She first brought me through a questionnaire, which tested my knowledge on eye care. I'm proud to say that I got most questions right! Yay! :D

(Well, I have been wearing glasses since I was in Primary 3 and there were always those talks on how to take good care of your eyes. And remember those eye exercises? I had to do them after recess everyday! The school would play some soothing music and everyone would be massaging their eye areas!)

Here's me, getting ready for the rest of the steps! :D

The eye test was quite a new experience for me. I have visited 3 optical stores since I started wearing glasses but not one store checked if there were any abnormalities with my eye muscles. And there were some steps which were present in one optical store but not in the others. The BVAX 12-Step Program took longer than my 'usual' checkup but you can be sure that every little bit of your eye is checked. (:

Yay! :DDD I'm done! Thanks Hui Shan! :D

Here's Fel and I, after we have chosen our spankin' brand new frames! Mine's pair of cat-eye tortoise shell glasses! :D

Crizal lenses will be fitted into my new frames. For the uninitiated, Crizal lenses are created with the most advanced technology to provide the clearest vision possible. Crizal provides UV protection, optimal vision comfort, premium scratch resistance, easier lens cleaning, unique water repellence and virtualy dust-free lenses.

In the brand's latest breakthrough, Crival UV lenses have been developed. The new lenses block UV from the front and reflect UV at the back, providing 360° UV protection. They also come equipped with Eye-Sun Protection Factor (E-SPF) 25. This means that the wearer gets 25 more times the protection that he can get from any other lens!

Each blogger was presented with a $200 voucher. I used the voucher to redeem my Crizal lenses and paid $136 for my glasses. These are from Ted Baker and has a slight cat-eye to them. :D

Do check out Better Vision's website here! Word has it that the Novena outlet will be having a promotion soon, in conjunction with Velocity @ Novena Square!

BETTER VISION (Novena Outlet)
238 Thomson Road
#02-39/40 Velocity @ Novena Square
Tel.: +65 6255 7295
URL: http://www.bettervision.com.sg/

NAILS: Exposed's Professional Nail Lacquers, by GlamoGirl

My nails did their own celebration of the beginning of November with 6 new lacquers from Exposed, a UK brand specially brought in by GlamoGirl! Big hugs to Camy, for the introduction, and thank you, Esther, for sending these new clothes for my nails! :D

GlamoGirl is the new girl in (virtual) town (On my blog.) and she thinks that every girl (That means you and me! Unless you are a guy, then this doesn't include you. By the way, these nail lacquers make a fabulous Christmas gift for the leading women in your life. ;) ) deserves to be glamourous! And she helps you by introducing you to brands like Dirty Works, iLove Cosmetics, Beauty UK, Kelly Edwards 100% Organic Skincare, Faith in Nature and of course, Exposed!

Exposed is a brand of professional nail lacquers that are free from the evil clutches of the toxic-trio; Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate and Toluene. This spells good news for me as you know, I'm getting more particular about ingredients. Also, my nails are pretty weak now... So, the fewer the chemicals, the happier my nails are! :D

Exposed currently has a bubbling cauldron of 74 glitter, matte and bright nail lacquers! You will find colours you love as easily as butterflies find flowers in Spring! Here are the 6 lacquers I received:

(from up to down, left to right)
Cosmopolitan 56: A shimmery teal, with more green than blue.
All Nighter 39: A matte, bright aubergine.
Too Hot 14: A glossy fiery-orange red, with more red than orange.
Cupcake 09: A glossy deep salmon pink.
Baby Face 06: A shimmery pale pink (My favourite!).
Barefoot 07: A shimmery ash grey.

with flash.

without flash.

Exposed's nail lacquers go on very smoothly. All lacquers featured in the swatches needed just 2 coats, save for All Nighter 39 which needed only 1. I used O.P.I's Start to Finish for my base and top coats. And just in case you are wondering, the white on my little finger is from my own stash. I wanted a 'break' from the intensity of all the Exposed's colours! Anyway since I painted them on 4 days ago, only the edges have ebbed only a teeny-weeny bit. (:

The above photos are also my first proper attempt at nail art, without using nail pens and just plain ol' I-see-them-everywhere polka dots (Not that I don't like them! I love them! But you have to admit, they are everywhere!). Haha! I took an entire Friday morning to settle on 4 designs that I really like, whilst watching 'Friends'. Haha. I usually don't bother with nail art because I always thought it was beyond me. But it turned out to be a breeze with these lacquers so I'm really excited to do more during the hols. :D

Exposed's nail lacquers provide another outlet for self-expression and they do so without all the unnecessary dangerous fumes. And they come at pocket-friendly prices too, especially this month because it's GlamoGirl's birthday! Happy birthday, dearie! :DDD

The nail lacquers are available here at $6 each (Only for this month!). Do connect with GlamoGirl on her Facebook page here and Twitter here! (: Thanks again, Esther, for sending me these lacquers! :DDD

EVENT: Tea Party with Disney's Golden Minnie‏ and Poh Heng

The month of November marks the ending and the beginning of new things for me and I welcomed the start of it by attending Minnie Mouse's Tea Party, organized by Poh Heng Jewellery! Thank you, my dear BrandStory Babes for the invitation and the ride! :D

(The BrandStory Babes made arrangements for a white cab to pick me up for the event! Thank you, ladies, for being so thoughtful! :D The BrandStory Babes are all very friendly and lovely and I always look forward to events which they are in-charge of. Thank you again, ladies, for always making me feel so welcomed and comfortable! :D)

Minnie's Vivendi, as the party has been named, is a celebration of the collaboration between Poh Heng Jewellery and everyone's favourite mouse, Minnie!

(Well, besides Mickey, of course. Had better put this in lest he gets jealous!)

Minnie was first sketched into our world in 1928 and was initially christened Minerva Mouse. Ever since then, she has left indelible marks in various aspects of our lives, and of course, fashion wasn't spared. Her trademark silhouette, bow, red heels and lusciously long lashes are sources of inspiration to many. And this Christmas, Poh Heng Jewellery wants to being her closer to us with the Minnie Mouse Limited Edition, a collection of 8 sweet and chic charms.

Here are the Minnie treats that greeted us at Poh Heng Jewellery's Orchard Shopping Centre Outlet. And that's Yina, Evonne and our little balloon puppies!

The little Minnie earrings belong to another collection, Baby Mickey & Minnie. They are 22K yellow gold with pink enamel and there's a matching necklace too!

And here are the models showcasing Minnie's styles! All 3 are adorned with the charms, which can double up as pendants too!

Each charm has been skilfully crafted from 18K white gold with diamonds or 22K yellow gold, with interesting contrasts of matte and polished finishes. They bring out the sparkling and charismatic personality of Minnie (And yours too, undoubtedly!) and complements any outfit easily. Maxi dresses or tee and jeans... Minnie's going make you shine like her either way!

"Minnie Mouse is such an incredible influence when it comes to style and fashion, we liken her to the preciousness of the gold from which the collection is crafted - always valuable and yet so trendy. She truly remains today as a powerful fashion icon. The charms double up as trendy keepsakes as well, giving them versatility in addition to the rich meaning that they carry, especially for a gift-giving season like Christmas."
-Ms. Pamela Seow, Marketing and Communications Manager of Poh Heng

The man pictured above with the models is Mr. Mark Coleman, General Manager of Retail & Licensing for The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. And beside him is Ms. Pamela Seow. (:

A closer look at the charms, which are amalgams of feminineness and classiness!

And of course, I HAD to take photos with dear Juliet! The Minnie Mouse ears are adorable!

(from the left to right)

Minnie Fashionista, $3000
Minnie has proved herself to be a daring fashionista with her bright yet ladylikeensembles. She knows what flatters her best and plays that up to full effect. Striking a pose in the limited edition Minnie Fashionista creation, Minnie looks every bit the style icon. Crafted in 22K yellow gold, this will be an excellent complement to your style maven friends, or pair well with a cream brocade party dress and nude peep-toe heels for your own Christmas get-up.

Minnie Stellar, $3300
Perfectly poised, Minnie Stellar is always perennially preened, Glamorous as always, she never fails to be composed and put together no matter the occasion. The Minnie Stellar is a limited edition creation rendered in 18K white gold, with diamonds adorning her bow, belt and shoe for a bit of sparkle. In true superstar style, Minnie Stellar pendant will pair well with a basic tank top and denim jeans for a casual brunch with the girls.

Minnie Fashionista Petite and Minnie Stellar Petite, $820 and $880 respectively
These miniature adaptations of Poh Heng's Minnie Signature pieces are the perfect way to add a touch of Minnie into your life. Staying true to her girlish demeanour, the Minnie Fashionista Petite charm reflects her lovable appeal but remains sophisticated and valuable in 22K yellow gold. Endearing fans for decades, Minnie’s charming personality exudes a beauty that is captured in the Minnie Stellar Petite charm, crafted in 18K white gold with diamonds adorning the bow. This charm features Minnie's profile, encapsulating her femininity and grace.

Minnie Style Icons – Rose, Peep-Toe Pumps, Bow and M for Minnie, $650 for all, except the Bow, which is $750
These four dainty charm pendants are the epitome of all things girly. Pay homage to Minnie's unmistakable style, Minnie Style Icons showcase the classic items that have come to represent her fun and feminine personality. A rose and peep-toe pumps in 22K yellow gold, together with Minnie's trademark bow and M for Minnie in 18K white gold with diamonds – wear them as pendants or hook them as charms on a bracelet or necklace.

And here's how the charms look like altogether and as a bracelet! My favourite is the Minnie Stellar Petite! I like the Rose too because it has such a vintage feel to it! There's always something about a rose and it being gold that makes it so precious! And the Peep-Toe Pumps is really pretty too! It looks incredibly dainty in gold. Which is your favourite? (:

Sweet Rachel sent me a photo of Juliet and I after the event (Thanks dear!). I had to bend down because my 'ears' were blocking the models' faces. For once in my life, I felt really tall. Heh. :D

Thank you for reading and I hope the above photos of Minnie's charms got you started on the coming week with a smile! (:

information extracted from press kit provided.