Through My Looking Glass

[photo source: Dylanlex]

Over the couple of months, I’ve been coming across these elaborate statement necklace which I found out were from this blog - ME AND LEX. A sister-duo that brings necklace layering to a whole new level. I’m not exactly an avid necklace wearer but when I do it usually trends along bold and metal elements with a rather tribal feel which is why I just had to attempt my take on this statement necklace. While there are a couple of ways to attempt this, I’ve included a tutorial following the steps I took to make my statement necklace.

What You Need:

1. 3 bold metal necklaces [that you are willing to dissect]

2. Pliers

Looking at the necklaces, roughly imagine how the pieces are to be stacked. I started by removing the components from two of the necklaces with my pliers leaving the third as my base necklace. By separating the necklaces, extra chains and jump rings can be used to piece the necklace together without having to necessarily buy extra.

I wanted to keep the third necklace at the end of the stack so I worked upwards.

Placing the necklace on a flat surface, start to join the metal parts with the loose jump rings. Keep a spacing in between layers as the natural droop will align the layers nicely.

Once the first layer is done attach the second layer. By breaking up the triple-layered necklace, I used them as fillers or separators to reveal an interesting break between the layers.

Going on to another separator which is now the top layer I was pretty much out of chain so, I removed the base necklace endings and extended the chain with the loose chain from the other necklaces.

Maximising the dissected necklace pieces, I attached the smallest separators with the jump rings onto the base necklace which elongated the necklace layers even further.

The final product!

Pair it up with basics and it’ll instantly edge up your casual look!

Unfortunately I was unable to head to Bangkok with Wes but hey it wasn’t a total loss. Here’s the loot he brought back for me. Thanks Wes!

On a side note, I’ve pretty much completed the Gladiator sandals mentioned in my previous post with the exception of the stud buttons which seem to be unavailable in Singapore so they are on their way down from Hong Kong. Will post pics and tutorial once its completed.

Aren’t those Alexander Wang heels to die for?? I really love this new minimalist take on Gladiator footwear. Unfortunately I don’t think I’d be getting myself a pair anytime soon but after seeing A Pair And A Spare DIY-inspired version has got me itching to attempt it myself. Let see if I can gather up some supplies over the weekend!

Nail art is all the rage. Over the past year I’ve racked up a ton of nail supplies from gifts as well as my multiple purchases at Dyon International. This time I attempted the rather daunting caviar and flocking nails.

I’ve attempted caviar three times within the last week. The palette was a gift with an array of fun colours, the deeper pots on the other hand I purchased at a random shop at Bugis Street’s last floor of the new wing at 3 pots for SGD5. My 1st attempt was a total flop and the little beads were rolling off my nails which annoyed the hell out of me I removed them within the hour. 2nd and 3rd attempt went better with the help of topcoat (so essential). So its 2 coats of nail polish and while still wet dip the nail into the caviar pot. The messy bit, the beads will stick to your nail as well as your skin. Now to pack the beads onto the nail, I’ve seen tutorials just pressing the beads with their finger which I didn’t like because patches of beads ended up sticking onto my skin instead so I prefer using the flat back of my tweezers. After that remove any excess caviar beads that might be sticking onto the surrounding skin. Add a layer of topcoat and leave to dry. When the topcoat is just about drying press on the beads to pack the layers together. So far my caviar nails have lasted about 3-4 days.

Now on to flocking that leaves your nails with a velvety effect which will have you feeling your nails non-stop. I bought my flocking palette from Dyon International for a mere SGD6. The application works much like the caviar process except that I would grab bits of the fibers with my trusty tweezers and cover the wet nail entirely. Pack down the flocking fibers with the back of the tweezers or thumb and that’s it. No layer of topcoat required. I have only attempted this once so by the end of the day on to the next day my nails were balding before my very eyes. Although it looks great initially on photos, I didn’t really enjoy the look in real life as it looks like a bad paint job.

Nonetheless, it brings a new twist to DIY nails. With flocking especially, I’m believe a darker colour like black would hide the sins alot better than the hot pink I tried.

It was something I definitely was gonna write about but I was thinking that I’d probably not want to repeat what I just spent the last half hour or so writing about. So for a breakdown of the Chanel Cruise 2013/14 collection, head over to my other blog that I share with my brother, Wes, called The Kowdashions… haha! To check out the post, head over to the bottom of this post for the link.

So now that that’s done, I wanted to take this time to pick my favourite’s from the collection.

What I love: Prep chic - a skinny tie is a masculine piece that can integrate into feminine ensembles. The hint of purplish blue adds a subtle pop of colour to the serious monotones.

What I love: Effortless Chic - the plunging neckline is stylishly sexy which is perfectly accentuated with draped pearls. The length of the blouse lightly elongates the torso blending in unison with the wide legged trousers.

What I love: A minimalist one-piece swimsuit in black covers all kinds of imperfections while the cover-up with a contrasting trimming… Yum!

What I love: Besides the cardigan, the matching pumps are equally versatile and sophisticated.

What I love: The cover-up again in a fuller length including the pin-stripe trim. It looks uber comfy to sink into.

What I love: Ethnic prints - there is something so laid-back yet dressy in this ensemble. If that was my reward for getting a toned bod, I’d work towards pulling it off!

What I love: Slouchy trousers are the best! It’s effortlessly chic, comfortable and dressy. The prints too interestingly transition creating an illusion of elongation especially within the lower half of the pants.

What I love: As much as I love slouchy pants, I gravitate to body hugging dresses and what more when it is in black. The interesting neckline shows a little chest and subtle slit is cheeky while remaining conservatively chic.

Last but not least - the hair! It looks like a French Twist pinning down the end strands into a faux side fringe. Gonna try it out myself one of these days but I doubt it’ll turn out as nicely…

For the event highlights click onto link » http://kowdashions.blogspot.sg/2013/05/chanel-previews-cruise-201314-on-lil.html

[Photos Credits By Narcissithephotographer]

With the editing of my company’s upcoming coffee table book, there has been less of an urge of sorts to continue writing after I’m done for the day. But with some alone time during this Saturday’s night sky it’s indeed a nice time to update.

Last week, I was invited to attend a Blackmarket event - WYLD x Blackmarket. For those who are unsure, Blackmarket is a multi-label concept store focusing on unique and rather artistic blend of fashion and knick knacks. WYLD agencies on the other hand represents International fashion labels linking them with the South East Asian retail market. The two companies recently linked up setting up a pop-up store at Blackmarket’s Orchard Central store with a focus on Australian labels - Evil Twin, Hunt No More, MINKPINK and Some Days Lovin.

Ranging from edgy to feminine pieces rich in prints, colours and geometrics, the range will be on available over at Blackmarket (#02-10 Orchard Central) during the month of May encompassing the signature street styles of Australia.

Going a little more casual for the night, I decided to do away with the heels for a more comfy alternative in my wedge sneakers which were especially comfy. My shirt and shoes were random shopping finds while my skirt and right-hand rings from H&M, watch from  Michael Kors, bracelets from Rome, Spain, Hong Kong and Cotton On and last but not least bag from Balenciaga.

Dress: H&M | Garter Belt: Far East Plaza | Book Clutch: DIY | Lita Boots: Jeffrey Campbell

This is what I wore to the Get Social event held at Fry Bistro at Club Street where it was an intimate yet lovely roof-top setting meeting old and new fellow bloggers, the Fly Entertainment team as well as Irene Ang who was such a joy to meet.

[Sorry photos are pretty crappy]

Blazer: Stradivarius | Shirt & Vest: H&M | Pants: Bugis Village | Shoes: H&M | Accessories: F21/HK

“A Well-Tailored Suit Is To Women What Lingerie Is To Men”

If it were up to me I’d enforce that guys wear suits every day! There is just something about a suit and a well-tailored one at that, that ups the ante for a guy and I’m sure many gals out there would agree with me. So I was stoked to attend the Suit Select event that was held at the revamped Chinatown Point.

Suited up for the occasion having Wes accompany me, we headed to the opening of their 3rd store in Singapore, the Japanese store focuses on none other than this often overlooked yet essential ensemble. Designed to look just like a massive walk-in wardrobe the store has countless designs for both men and women.

We were treated to a preview of their Spring/Summer 2013 collection titled
Azzurro al Grigio meaning “from blue to grey”. The runway show was opened by former MTV VJ Utt while being accompanied by Thai dancer, Issariya Patharamanop (better known as Hunz),whom received roaring cheers from his fan base. The collection encompassed a range of classic suits that will last through the seasons as well as patterned suits for the bolder wearer. The collection didn’t forget the women with silhouette appealing feminine cuts.

Not just selling normal suits, Suit Select pushes the envelope of innovation with the Shower Clean Technology that’s easy clean and quick ready-to-wear, Super Tough 100’s lasting durability and most recently introducing“ICESENSE”, heat absorption technology.

Affordable without compromising aesthetics and quality, Suit Select also offers customization services allowing customers to design and create that perfect personalized suit which will be produced direct from Japan
overseen by world’s leading designers and modelist, Mr. Kato Yoshitaka.

Suit Select Boutiques

Plaza Singapura

Orchard Road, Level 3, Unit 52

Pacific Plaza

Scotts Road, Level 1

Chinatown Point

133 New Bridge Road, Level 1

View more photos from the Suit Select event at the Kowdashion’s FB event album

[Photo Credits: Wesley Kow - Narcissisthephotograher and Fly Entertainment]

Another trip to H&M left me spending… again! This time bottoms were the main things on the list - shorts, skirts and “pajama” pants. And more accessories to my already overflowing lot.

Made my first order from American Apparel today after realizing there is a dedicated Singapore e-shop with free shipping after spending S$100. Yay!

It’s been awhile since my last post. Life’s been somehow continuously filled with a lil of this and that thus the neglect. Well, my birthday rolled in as quickly as it rolled out but it doesn’t feel like its over yet. Turning 27 isn’t as bad as I thought it would be… or maybe it hasn’t really sunk in yet.

This year I decided to test out my crafting skills on fondant creating a Chanel classic flap bag for my birthday cake. Yea it sounds a lil sad to have to make your own birthday cake but paying a couple of hundreds for something that’s gonna pass through the digestive track isn’t worth it, I could spend that moolah more wisely. Plus the achievement to say I did it fuels that motivation. For a first attempt, I’m pretty happy how it turned out (thanks to my momma for the help too).

So far its been an awesome string of birthday parties taking place almost one after another and a couple more after my lil trip out of the red dot which begins in a couple of hours.

Till next time!

I was given this lil spiral contraption by a close friend of mine and it is bloody awesome! Its a different way of securing a bun into place by simply twisting it into your hair. It is really that simple. I’ve tried a bunch of hair contraptions and while most look easy enough but are not, this one looks complex but sooooo simple to use. I’ve pretty much ditched my rubber bands since I got this coz from my experience thus far has put less strain on the hair and scalp. Love it! Thanks Charm!

My latest project attempt - book clutch. I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out even with the lil quirks that popped up along the way. It took me roughly 2 months to complete though it have realistically be completed within days but I really took my time with whatever free time I had year end. For those who would like to give it a try there are a bunch of tutorials available online but the images above gives a breakdown what I did for my book clutch.

Dress: H&M | Clutch & Shoes: GoJane | Ring: Vintage | Bracelet: Gift

The annual family countdown this time had us traveling to City Hall. With this 1920s vibe dress hanging in my closet for the past month, it was meant just for this occasion. I’ve noticed how the runways have tried to bring out a Great Gatsby trend to the streets and am a lil disappointed that it hasn’t really taken off as well as other trends but that’s not gonna stop me from embracing it.

Another year flies by in the blink of an eye and yet 2013 is heart-fully welcomed in my books. 2012 was a good year on a whole… travel, events, in the midst of getting a book out, meeting new acquaintances & friends, connecting with old friends, lasting relationships with treasured peeps and family for the most bit was the most gratifying highlights of the past year. And what way to welcome the new year but with the important people from counting down with the family to living through the first day of 2013 with good friends. There is something about 2013 that encompasses a lil sense of adventure and I’m all hyped up for the ride.

Christmas future is far away.

Christmas past is past.

Christmas present is here to stay.

Bringing joy that will last.

Have been craving for a Kiel James Patrick bracelet for a couple of months now. This sweetie was my purchase from Rockstar by Soon Lee - a multi-label store in Singapore carrying brands like Baggu, Converse, Timex, Pointer, KJP and much more including the latest collab with Al & Alicia. They’ve expanded and just yesterday opened their latest store at Orchard 22. Really love the fresh wide space of the place.

So on to the topic of KJP! Very nautical in vibe, this piece is from the Triton collection. The Triton knot or Sailor’s knot is used for tying light lines, awning stops, reef points, cord on packages, and in fact is put to such numerous uses by sailors. This piece is the Lenny Mooring model and like most of the bracelets includes an anchor clasp which is the most unique part. Great piece to be worn alone or layered with wooden elastic bracelets.

Rockstar by Soon Lee website: http://www.rockstar.com.sg

Kiel James Patrick website: http://kieljamespatrick.com

I was pretty ecstatic to get a call from Rebecca that Her World wanted me to be part of their Best Dressed List 2012. The shoot took place a couple of months back. This was the second time I was featured in the mag and like before an easy breezy shoot. I picked the clothes, shoes and accessories from my own closet but hair and makeup was done there by Benedict Choo. Felt awesome having my hair and makeup done while I just sat… hee hee! Really an honour to be part of the list… guess all that time I take dolling up is worth it, aye?

For those who didn’t catch it, the issue is out on newsstands and besides the list its jammed pack with a ton more so do look out for Her World Dec 2012 issue!