SPOTTED: Get Party Ready with Crystal Clear Skin from SK-II!

Hi all! Singapore F1 Grand Prix is happening this week and as we gear ourselves up for it, don't forget to keep your skin glowing and healthy with SK-II's iconic Pitera Essentials range.

For a quick perk-me-up before all the upcoming F1 parties, the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask offers a fuss-free indulgent immersion into the world of Pitera goodness. This miracle ingredient is rich in vitamins, amino acids and nutrients and is responsible for leaving your skin in exceptional radiance and crystal clarity.

Those who seek a more complete routine can turn to the SK-II Mid-Day Miracle Essence and SK-II Mid-Night Miracle Essence. The former holds the power of Pitera in a handy bottle that's small enough to slip into any clutch. It sets makeup and keeps you fresh and photo-ready all day. Night time calls for the latter, which offers a cooling sensation to refresh your skin after all the heat and dust from the race tracks, bringing you trackside in the day to partying at night with ease!

SPOTTED: SK-II Dream Again Pop Up @One Raffles Place

I used to be quite a bit of a perfectionist, and would only pick battles that I could win because I didn't want to deal with failure. So, many little dreams were dropped along the way here. Now that I am a little older and time is slipping by really fast, I realise that I don't want to go away not having done the things that I want to. It seems a bit of a waste and a little silly now to give up things just because I'm scared I won't be good at it. I wouldn't know if I don't try and even if I do fail, all I need to do is to work harder. After all, it's the journey to success that moulds us, no?

What do your dreams mean to you? Are you living yours? Come June 21st, SK-II has a special surprise in store for you at One Raffles Place! It will be from 11am to 4pm and hint, kids like the super adorable one above will be there. #changedestiny #dreamagain #skii

Don't forget to drop by, especially if you're in that area! :D

SPOTTED: Christmas Watchin' with Zalora

Michael Kors is one of my few favourite luxury brands. I like that it is feminine, but not TOO feminine, classy and sporty chic *points to gorgeous, sleek black timepiece below and hyperventilates*.

For the history enthusiasts, Michael Kors was founded back in 1981 in New York City by Michael Kors himself. His mother was a model and that played a part in him developing a penchant for fashion from a very young age (He helped design her wedding dress at the age of 5!). He started designing and selling his clothes from his parents' basement and subsequently, had his very own space at a boutique from Bergdorf Goodman on 57th Street. There, he was discovered by Bergdorf's fashion director, Dawn Mello, and that led to the establishment of his very own brand. Some hiccups followed after that, but Kors managed to pick himself up and now, Michael Kors has a whole range of men's and women's wear, footwear, accessories, jewellery, fragrances and of course, watches.

I wear my watch everyday and without it, I feel 'naked' or like, a part of me is missing. If you or your special someone feels the same way, why not get a watch this Christmas?

Here are my 4 favourite picks!

• Runway MK3247 Watch or also known as 'The Rose-gold Beauty'
  This classic, elegant beauty will have you in knots with its stunning face, trimmed with sparking pave stones.
• Runway MK5191 Watch or also known as 'The Black Beauty'
  This sleek black and gold watch will make you the envy of every crowd.
• Parker MK2249 Watch or also known as 'The Vintage Beauty'
  This vintage timepiece brings you back to timeless sophistication with its sparkling pave stones and leather combination.
• Slim Runway MK3275 Watch or also known as 'The Old Hollywood Beauty'
  This classy and dainty minimalist adds a subtle glamorous finish to any look.

SPOTTED: What does the Road to Success Entail? (brought to you by SK-II #changedestiny)

Singer Anggun shares what her journey to success was like in this inspirational #changedestiny video. The key is never giving up, pushing boundaries, and seizing every opportunity.

What is your key?

SPOTTED: 5 Stylish Ways to Wear Your Kimono Top

If you break up the characters for 'kimono (着物)', it literally means a thing to wear. Traditionally, it comes in a long T-shaped robe with wide sleeves. The Japanese wear it for special occasions like weddings and tea ceremonies and they look very elegant and proper in it.

As a child, I have always wanted one ever since I saw Hello Kitty in a pink floral piece. Unfortunately, the real McCoy is really expensive and not quite practical in warm and sunny Singapore. Also, I really want to get mine in Japan but that's not happening anytime soon. I made a resolution to visit the Land of the Rising Sun only when I can converse in their language decently... Which is going to take a very long time. Heh. (Btw, I passed my N5 exam, yay! ٩(^ᴗ^)۶ )

Anyway, thank goodness for the creative designers who did a modern take on it and came up with the pretty and more wearable kimono tops. And they come in every possible colour and variation; floral, boho-chic, lace, fringe, chambray, chiffon etc. There's basically a perfect one for every outfit. But how does one actually wear it? Given that it's usually over-sized, one can end up looking a tad sloppy. Eeps!

Here are 5 stylish ways to wear your kimono top:

1. Glam up your tank top and jeans combo with a patterned kimono. A chiffon one will flaunt your silhouette.
2. Throw on a flower headband and wear a fringe kimono for the boho-chic look. Perfect outfit for a sunny Sunday afternoon.
3. Seek warmth stylishly with a long kimono over your dress. Don't be afraid to go print-on-print!
4. Add some shape to your kimono by belting it up. Go for a simple plain one that doesn't draw attention away from your pretty kimono prints.
5. Jazz up your little black dress by draping on a floral or lace kimono à la Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City.

SPOTTED: Open the Door to a World of New Destinies with SK-II

From July 22nd to July 28th, dearest SK-II is having its #ChangeDestiny World at Ngee Ann City. At this event, SK-II will also be launching the next generation of its anti-aging series, SK-II R.N.A. Power. It includes the R.N.A. Power Cream and Essence, which will replace the existing Stempower Cream and Essence respectively.

At #ChangeDestiny World, you will be among the first in Singapore to purchase the SK-II R.N.A. Power before it hits the shelves on August 1st. Check out the promotion above and see you there! (:

SPOTTED: Come hang out with SK-II Brand Ambassador Cate Blanchett and local influencers‏ online!

From 1pm to 1.30pm on 14th May, SK-II Brand Ambassador and Academy award-winning actress Cate Blanchett will be hanging out LIVE on Google+ with our very own local influencers. Come find out beauty tips from celebrity Cate and stand a chance to win SK-II products when you watch the session live! You can even instantly shop the products she loves with Luxola.

All you need to do is:

1. Follow SK-II Singapore on G+ via this link: google.com/+skiiofficial
2. Watch all the action LIVE on 14th May, 1pm to 1.30pm by RSVP-ing via this link: http://bit.ly/1KQYZjR

Good luck! (:

SPOTTED: The Versatile Maxi

Maxi dresses have always been associated with the hippie culture, when the free-loving girls of the seventies popularised the full-length, flowy dresses that reflected their innate uninhibitedness. Made of lightweight material and often teamed with sandals and loose and wavy beach hair, maxi dresses have withstood the test of time and is now part of a modern, casual attire.

Celebrities are also often seen in maxi dresses in their downtime - some even turning up for events in them! If that isn't a testament to how versatile the maxi dress is, then what is? (: And with maxi dress options aplenty these days, especially online, it's only a matter of which celebrity look we should steal.

Here are 5 celebs you might want to consider!

1. Lauren Conrad
   After leaving her reality TV show 'The Hills', the celebrity fashion designer continues sharing her style tips with us. Here, she pairs a turquoise ombre maxi dress with her trademark wavy blonde hair and sunny smile. Against her healthy California tan, the dress evokes all kinds of urges to hit the beach. If only we could do something about that length, though.
   

2. Nicole Richie
   A boho-chic list cannot be complete without Nicole Richie. The celebrity designer showed up at the Neiman Marcus Fashion Showcase in a red floral maxi dress by Kate Winter. Her sleek gold jewellery - which matches the shade of her hair - not only enhances the colour of her dress, but it also makes it look more formal for the event. Love the braid detail on the crown of her head too!
   

3. Bella Thorne
   Colour-blocking is everywhere now. Here, doe-eyed actress Bella Thorne dons a Shoshanna Mabrey maxi in this fresh, perk-me-up combination of orange and pink. By keeping accessories to a minimum - only a simple, golf bracelet - she allows the dress to take centre stage. And why wouldn't you? It's a stunning dress!
   

4. Jessica Alba
   From the premieres to the playground, Jessica Alba always keeps things fresh and relaxed yet glamorous with bright pops of colour, in comfortable cuts. Here, she does a quick coffee run in an orange maxi with a white sleeveless blouse thrown over. Her turquoise shades, messy bun and white cross-body purse keeps the outfit fuss-free and fun.
   

5. Megan Fox
   Since this is Megan Fox we're talking about, she doesn't have to reveal too much skin to look stunning. Even in a plain ochre maxi dress, the brunette beauty looks completely show-stopping. The only signs that she was going for a dinner date are the towering stiletto heels and statement jewellery - chunky bronze cuff and green jewel pendant.
   

Are you into the maxi dress trend? Which celeb look is your favourite? :D

SPOTTED: Come experience the SK-II #ChangeDestiny Museum

SK-II will be celebrating h35 years of heritage and innovation at its first ever #ChangeDestiny Museum at The Paragon from 5th March to 11th March.

Here are the top 3 things you should do at the Museum:

1. Discover your Skin Age
   Find out your skin destiny now with SK-II, and it only takes 5 minutes to decode your current and future skin! You will also receive a personalised consultation and a starter kit to kick-start your miracle journey.

2. Meet Korean Celebrity Kim Hee Ae on 6th March
   Meet our Living Proof ambassador Ms. Kim, who will share the secrets behind her youthful look and life after changing her destiny. Also, enjoy stunning live dance performances and stand a chance to receive our best-selling SK-II Facial Treatment Mask*. Only 20 pieces are up for grabs!
   *7th March (3-5pm) and 8th March (1-3pm)

3. Be Rewarded for Changing Your Destiny
   New to SK-II? Visit the #ChangeDestiny Museum, complete the challenges and receive an exclusive museum door gift. Plus, receive a full-sized SK-II Clear Beauty Powder Foundation worth $130 when you purchase more than $250 worth of SK-II products.

Have fun and SK-II your way to crystal clear skin! :D

SPOTTED: Taking the Sephora Shower

No matter how bad our day gets, we can always count on scents to provide a quick little fix. And it doesn't stop there. Studies have shown that scents influence not just our mood, but our stress level, self-confidence and overall performance too. They can also aid better and deeper beauty sleep (Be gone, insomnia!). One fab way of enveloping ourselves in a cocoon of scents is taking a luxurious shower after a tedious and tiring day at work. And Sephora online has got this covered, yay!

Just in case you're unaware, Sephora has her very own body and bath line that is paraben-free and tested under dermatological control. One product that I really like is the Bubble Bath & Shower Gel. Available in 7 different scents online, you can definitely find one that will erase your grumpiness, add more happiness to your clouds or give you the boost of confidence that you really need. It is formulated with fragrant flowers, algae, fruit extracts, Vitamin E and glycerine, so that you leave each shower with velvety-smooth and well-hydrated skin and of course, a smile dancing on your lips.

Here are some quick 'guidelines' to the different scents:

• Blueberry: When you need a smile.
• Chocolate: When you need some excitement.
• Green Tea: When you need a little calm.
• Lemon Verbena: When you need more energy.
• Peony: When you are feeling girly.
• Strawberry: When you just want some sweetness.
• Vanilla: When you want some elegance.

Sephora also has the Creamy Body Wash, Smoothing Body Scrub and Moisturizing Body Lotion online that also come in the aforementioned scents. So go on, take a long good soak, scrub away your worries and then slather on some lotion for a sleep that even Sleeping Beauty will be envious of!

SPOTTED: Cosmo Fun Fabulous! Fearless Weekend with SK-II‏

Hi all! Just a heads up...

If you want to learn some insider fashion and beauty tips from Popular YouTube's stars, RAEView, Oiseau88, StyleSuzi and ClothesEncounter, sign up for the Cosmo Fun Fearless Fabulous Weekend with SK-II Singapore today!

• All guests will receive a gift set from SK-II worth $160; slots are limited so hurry and sign up now!
• Find out more details on how to join at regonline.com/CosmoBeautyClub today!

SPOTTED: Mitju x K-POP

It has been a pretty long while since I last checked in here. ごめんね！The last 2 weeks of December was spent cramming Japanese because I decided to take up classes again (My 4th and final attempt!). I'll probably be journalling it either here or over at my (very dead) Tumblr, so as to keep my interest going. Especially in the face of confusingly difficult grammar. がんばって！

Anyway, back to one of the 2 main focuses of this blog - fashion, shoes in particular. I'm not really a shoes person because I really like unblistered feet. Heh. But I still do look at shoes because they can be oh so pretty! Also, as we ladies are very aware of, shoes can make or break an outfit. One rich source of shoe-spiration which we can look to for advice is, of course, the very bold and experimental K-pop industry. And we are in luck because homegrown Mitju just started offering designs similar to what our K-pop princesses don on their feet.

Here are 5 different styles of chic shoes for ladies:

1. Jessica's casual, ladylike look
   Former Girls Generation's Jessica goes for the sophisticated model-off-duty style with the tee-and-jeans combo, paired with a tweed jacket. Capped ballet flats are a classic and give off a girlish look. Here's a pair with a Chanel-ish quilted design from Mitju:
   

2. Hyoyeon's sporty look
   There are so many days when we just want to be comfy, especially in Singapore's unforgivable weather. I love red shoes (Prolly because of Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz' film.) and I like how Hyoyeon matched her red striped top with red sneakers. Here's a red nautical pair from Mitju:
   

3. Krystal edgy's look
   Unlike her sister Jessica who goes for a more mature and womanly look, f(x)'s youngest member, Krystal, opts for an edgier and darker style. She works a pair of brown loafers with printed skinny jeans and a dark grey jacket over a black T-shirt. Here's an unstated teal pair from Mitju:
   

4. Victoria's sexy look
   The outgoing leader of f(x), Victoria, exudes strength and femininity in every outfit. She shows off her incredibly toned legs in a pair of black wedges. Here's a grey embellished pair from Mitju:
   

5. Seohyun's menswear inspired look
   The youngest member of Girls Generation is usually seen in girlish dresses and skirts. However, she veers away from her usual style by opting for menswear-inspired pants and shoes. She still manages to keep things feminine with a bright red blouse and coat. Here's a sleek, stylish and still feminine pair from Mitju:
   

Which K-pop princess's style are you a fan of? And which Mitju designs do you like? :D

SPOTTED: You're Invited to SK-II Festive Party!

This is for the SK-II fans!

From 19th to 21st Dec, spend $500 on SK-II products in a single receipt at SK-II TANGS Orchard or TANGS Vivo to join in the SK-II Festive Party on 21st December at TANGS SEVIIN.

You will get to enjoy food, drinks and even a free makeover at the party from 2pm to 6pm! :D

Merry SK-II Christmas, in advance!

SPOTTED: This Christmas, I wish upon a star.

And... We are just 13 days away from one of my 2 favourite months of the year (The other being August, bien sûr!). I don't know about you, but I feel like time slips past us faster as we grow older. I distinctly remember sitting on the classroom floor in primary school, looking at the date on the chalkboard and slowly counting down to the year end. It took for-ever and it felt so painful. But now, it's like I'm trying to hold on to every single minute that I have. I want to fill my time with things that I have always wanted to do but didn't, because, well, life and procrastination. Heh. Oh yeah. And money too. It's sooooo good to have an income!

Next year, I really want to take up makeup courses and one school that I have been looking at is Make Up For Ever Academy. I very nearly joined one last year, but the schedule wasn't too good for me. Also, it's really expensive. So while I save up for the course(s), let me take a look at things that are cheaper, i.e. Make Up For Ever products. HAHA. What? I need to get acquainted with my future school!

One product that I really want to own is the Rouge Artist Lip Palette. I know palettes can get really messy, especially in Singapore's infamously hot and humid weather (It has been raining a lot though. I hate being wet but the cool air... AHHH!), but they just make so much sense. It's so difficult to just buy ONE lipstick at like, $30?!? And I can't just use one shade until the entire lipstick is gone (Who finishes a lipstick?!?). Okay, I can but I don't want to because lip colours are a form of self-expression, ha (The justifications that a beauty junkie can come up with...). Palettes are compact, they are convenient and they give you choices... At like what, half the price? *beams*

Anyway, here are my top 4 picks from Make Up For Ever that I would like to try this year:

SPOTTED: SK-II-ing My Way to Look Korean

So my Korean obsession has kinda waned off a little because #life. Also, reality set in because where in the world am I going to find a Korean alien who will fall in love with me? Nevertheless, I was a little quite very happy when this quiz told me that Do Min-joon is the man for me. HEH. YOUR TURN TO DO THE QUIZ. Never mind that we are adults who should be way past the whole fangirl-ing business, because we are talking about Korean male drama leads (Not disillusioned. Yet. Haha.) who have the whole package - Intelligent, protective, loves the girl to death and super adorable when they get 'jealous'. Completely justified.

Even though I'm not watching any dramas now, I'm still on my quest to 'achieve the Korean look' because well, beauty fanatic here. Heh. Anyway, while makeup can give us doe eyes, more defined noses and glowing skin, it cannot give us the crystal clear skin that all Korean celebrities seemingly have. Therefore, it is important that we take care of our skin with the right products. One brand which I really like and has worked for me is SK-II. It helps you achieve crystal clear skin by tackling the 5 key dimensions that characterize it - texture refinement, firmness power, wrinkle resilience, spot control and radiance enhancement.

Here are some of my favourite products from the brand:

SPOTTED: S is for Sephora

I first came across Sephora when Becky Bloomwood went to New York City in Sophie Kinsella's 'Shopaholic Takes Manhatten', and was completely floored by just about everything. For a 15-year old very imaginative shopaholic in-the-making, that was like walking down the red carpet. Except that it's kind of a role reversal; instead of a thousand cameras flashing at you, your eyelids flutter at a thousand brand new products. And Sephora quickly established itself as the only reason why I wanted to go to the States back then. Small girl, 'big dream'. Haha.

Anyway, the dream has been rendered kind of pointless now because we have Sephora right here on our shores! And even though we haven't exactly got all the brands here with us, new ones are being brought in every few months. So wohoo!!! :DDD

BUT then, there's the problem of us getting bogged down by inertia sometimes. Plus the weather's sweltering, there are way too many people, the bed has developed magnetism of cosmic magnitude... Well, guess what?!! We can actualy have Sephora delivered straight to our door steps, all thanks to ZALORA Singapore! (:

Here are my current top picks that spell 'Sephora':

SPOTTED: Getting Skin Ready for Valentine's Day!

The day of sweet nothings, lavish bouquets of roses and floating hearts is upon us once again. It is said to have started with Saint Valentine of Rome. He was imprisoned for marrying soldiers and their loved ones illictly. Whilst in jail, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and fell in love with her. Unfortunately, it was another story of Romeo and Juliet, and right before his execution, he wrote her a letter and signed off 'Your Valentine' as a farewell.

So... No matter how commercialized Valentine's Day is said to be, I think the story behind it makes the day meaningful and worth celebrating. Whether it is with friends or with your soul mate. (:

And to get my skin ready for the day, here's what I'll be using!
(Psst! SK-II's products can be found online over at Zalora. Click here to check out their Pinterest page!)

SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence
The darling of SK-II contains more than 90% Pitera to help you achieve the 5 key dimensions that characterize crystal clear skin; texture refinement, firmness power, wrinkle resilience, spot control and radiance enhancement. It also helps to maintain the skin's natural renewal cycle and balance the skin's pH levels and sebum secretion, keeping both both the oily and dry areas are well-hydrated. Click here to read my review!

SK-II's Facial Treatment Mask
This sheet mask is drenched in the Facial Treatment Essence, providing an intensive 20-minute hydrating session for your skin. I like to use this before a big day or an 'emergency' because it leaves my skin well-hydrated and with a luminous glow.

SK-II's Stempower Cream Compact Foundation
The latest addition to my makeup routine, this cream foundation ensures that my skin is hydrated all day.

SPOTTED: SK-II’s Beauty Boutique Launch at Robinsons Orchard

Tomorrow, on November 29th, is the launch of SK-II's latest beauty boutique at the newly opened Robinsons Orchard. The launch, which officially begins at 7pm, will be graced by celebrities George Young and Desmond Tan so fans of these dashing young men, see you there!

Or if you happen to be in town, do drop by and learn more about the boutique and perhaps get your skin evaluated by the Magic Ring as well? :D

P.S.: From 10am to 5pm tomorrow, spend $290 on SK-II products and you get a chance to guess which SK-II Festive Coffrets George and Desmond will pick for their loved ones. The answers will be revealed at 6.45pm and if you made the correct guesses, you might walk away with a full-sized SK-II product!

SPOTTED: River Island x ZALORA

Hey all! Just thought you should know that River Island is back on our shores! The high street brand is now available online on Zalora (Since September 14th!). Tailored for the chic and stylish, this brand surprises weekly with fresh designs tagged at reasonable prices!

The brand is driven by an elite team whose heart and soul centers around delivering the most tasteful and original blueprints across nearly 300 stores spread all over Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Do check out the designs here! :D

SPOTTED: N.E.mation! 8 is back!

N.E.mation! is back for its 8th season this year! For the uninitiated, N.E.mation! is a digital animation competition for youths to express their thoughts on Total Defence. This competition is proudly organized by Nexus and as aforementioned, is in its 8th year running. The past 7 years have been nothing but success, garnering more than 9,900 students participating. With no prior experience in animation, these students undergo weeks of training and guidance to produce quality clips. I'm sure you have seen some of their works in theaters! :D

This year's theme is 'Because You Played A Part'. The top 10 clips will be judged by a panel of esteemed judges, including Melvin Tan, Senior Animator of Blue Sky Studios. And guess what the winning team gets? A trip to visit a renowned animation studio in USA!

Interested in joining? Here's how! :D

1. Form a team of 3 to 4 students from your school.
2. Register online at http://nemation.sg/.
3. Submit your story ideas on the theme 'Because You Played A Part' by 1pm on August 21st, 2013.

But... What if you don't know how and where to start? Fear not because N.E.mation! has a huge bank of resources to help get your creative juices flowing!

1. View the free online Story Workshop at http://nemation.sg/story/.
2. Receive coaching on your story ideas when N.E.mation! visit your school, or when you attend their Public Story Clinic session*!

*You get to pick your preferred time slot when you register online! A 'Share Your Story' contest on Facebook that is opened for all ages to participate!

Still need one more reason to join?

Golly gee, I sure wish I had this when I was in school. :\ But oh wait, us 'oldies' have something in store for us too!

All you need to do is to submit a story online on N.E.mation!'s contest page to tell them how you have played a part for Singapore and you stand to win wither a $50 shopping voucher or a pair of movie tickets! Here are some details:

Contest Period:

• Round 1: 5th to 11th August 2013
• Round 2: 12th to 18th August 2013

Prizes for each round are:

• 1 x $50 Shopping Voucher (Judges' choice.)
• 8 x a pair of movie tickets (Random draw.)

For more information, do check out N.E.mation!'s website here and Facebook page here. All the best!