Saturday, November 16, 2013

Love and Misadventure


Hi There!

My best friend introduced this book to me. She's one of those people who loves to read and has a growing collection of books. In fact, if  you enter her room, it's hard to miss the corner of stacked books on the floor because it's the only neat and organized part of her messy room. On our sleepover, this book caught my attention and when I started reading it, she said "Yeah, that book will make you mad." She was right. It's a collection of short poems and stories that are so well-written and just.... perfect. It would make a really nice gift for a special someone or even yourself.  
Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book.




Arianne



Tuesday, October 15, 2013

My chill playlist

    Hi There!

    So I listed a few tracks that I'm really enjoying right now. I also linked each one to their music videos if you want to check them out. This playlist has songs old and new which have a very chill vibe, hence the title. Hope you like it as much as I do.

    Everyone has their own special relationship with music. My earliest memory of life is of my dad whistling a very calming melody when I was 6 years old. He often whistled that tune to me and sometimes even to himself unconsciously. I liked it a lot and it was always stuck in my head. I discovered a few years later that it was the intro to the song Patience by Guns N' Roses. I never heard him sing the first verse, I didn't even know it was a song. My dad passed away in 2006 but that song will always remind me of him. It's my favourite song and will forever be

    I think music is what feelings sound like. It washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.  

    Arianne

      Friday, October 11, 2013

      Fashion Meets Philanthropy

      Hi There!
      I am so excited to write about Angela & Roian online handbag brand that combines fashion and philanthropy. Through their Donate by Color mission, a portion of each handbag sale is donated to chosen non-profit health organizations. Plus, they use vegan leather to make each handbag, avoiding harm to animals! How awesome is that? After a quick visit to their facebook page, I have made a collage of some of my top picks from their collections below.
      As you can see, their bags have minimal designs with a classic touch. Perfect for school, work and any occasions. I think their bags would make lovely gifts this Christmas, I know I would be happy to receive one. Especially the square Mandarin Orange Tote (first bag from the left) which I would loooove to use for school. 
      They aim to increase the awareness of each cause by color of a handbag sold. A detachable ribbon accompanies each handbag purchase and each color represents specific causes. You can help raise awareness by simply attaching the ribbon to your handbag. In addition to the ribbon, a flyer will be given with further information for each cause. You can then share with your friends and help spread awareness. Sadly, they have not yet officially entered the international market. For now, they only deliver to the US. We can only hope they operate international soon.
      But even without purchasing a bag, you can still help spread the word by following them on their social media sites (twitter, pinterest and facebook) and be sure to check out their website: Angela & Roi to learn more about their mission and the different causes they support !
      Arianne


      Monday, October 7, 2013

      Sunday Smoothie!


      Hi There!

      So it's actually Monday already as I'm typing (oops) but this was what I did yesterday!
      I decided to wake up early and make my all-time favourite smoothie. I accidentally woke up my parents because the blender was too loud. But I made up for it by making them some too and they loved it, aren't I a good daughter? Haha


      It's just a very simple fruit smoothie but it tastes soooo good and it makes for a good breakfast if you're running late in the morning. It tastes like the purple Yakult drink if you've ever tried those.

      For one serving, I used:

      1 cup of non-fat yoghurt
      1 handful of blueberries
      1 sliced up banana
      1/2 tablespoon of honey (optional)


      Look at that gorgeous colour from the blueberries. Truth is, I'm not a big fan of eating blueberries by itself that's why I like to add it in smoothies. That's the only way I can get it in my diet as I know how much I need the antioxidants. I might be more adventurous with different flavours next time but for now, this is my favourite. If you've never tried making your own smoothies before, try this one out and you'll surprise yourself :)


      I know it's the fall season in other countries so you may not be able to appreciate smoothies during the cold weather as you'd prefer hot pumpkin spice lattes (which I've never tried, I don't even think they sell it here in Singapore *sigh*) Here it's summer all year long. Well actually during this month until December it rains almost everyday and the weather is just gloomy and miserable. Anyway, I will be having these a lot when school's back next week which I'm nervous and sad about. Ah well, gotta make the most out of my last week of holiday a.k.a. being on the internet all day and all night.                                                          



      Arianne

      Friday, October 4, 2013

      Shoe Review: Doc Martens

      Hi There!

      I never thought I would own a pair of Docs before I saw this design. After trying them on, I couldn't resist buying them. I think the pattern is so pretty but still easy to match with many different outfits. Docs are well known for their good quality and they will last you a long time. However, they are quite tough to break in. I got them 3 weeks ago and they still feel brand new. To prevent horrible blisters, the key is to wear super comfortable socks! I bought my socks from H&M, five pairs of different colours for $14.90 SGD. Hopefully they'll do the trick to protect my feet because I'm sure I'll be wearing these almost everyday to school. I may be posting a mini lookbook on how I style these shoes for school soon :)

      DISCLAIMER: I purchased all of these items with my own money. I am in no way affiliated with the brands/companies mentioned in this post.

      Arianne

      Thursday, October 3, 2013

      I'm Back!

      Hi There!

      It's been a few months since I updated and I owe you all an apology.

      Honestly, I've been contemplating on whether or not to delete this blog for a few weeks now. I've stopped updating for many reasons. Too busy with school, becoming uninspired and having personal struggles with my own body image, confidence and style. I kept thinking that there are so many bloggers and fashion/beauty gurus nowadays, run by girls who are so much prettier, slimmer and more popular than myself. The more I got into blogging, the more I got obsessed with those girls. I became very detached from reality and I felt so.... depressed. I started to fear that people from my school would find my blog and make fun of me. I was careful not to tweet about my blog or share it to anyone I know. It's not that I am not proud of my blog, because I really am. I was just scared of their reaction because I didn't think I was the type of girl to run a fashion blog. I am studying Aeronautical Engineering for crying out loud! I hardly wear any make up to school and I have found no point in dressing up.There are only 2 other girls in my class, both not very girly either. My best girl friends were from my secondary school and we all go to different schools now. I felt so lonely and out of place in my new school which led me to spending most of my time online. I became so overwhelmed with anxiety which haunted me everyday. I couldn't possibly continue putting myself out there if I wasn't happy with myself at all inside.

      Fast forward to today, I'm in a much better state of mind and I am feeling inspired again. I still do love fashion and makeup. This blog is literally my only way to express my girly side so I have decided to keep this blog alive. I really did miss the creative process behind every blog post, from taking pictures, editing and the thrill of publishing. I'll be going back to school in a couple of weeks and I shall be making a few back to school fashion posts and all that good stuff very soon :)

      I'm so thankful for all of you who decided to follow me and each of your nice comments.

      Arianne

      Friday, March 1, 2013

      March Beauty Wishlist

      Hi there!
      I'm on my school break this month and I think it's the perfect time to try out new beauty products. If I end up loving them, then I will be using them for the new school year on April! These are just a few essential products that I currently wish to try.

      Red earth prime perfection corrective makeup base
      I have quite a bit of redness on my face at certain areas which is hard to cover with make up without appearing too cakey. This primer promises to neutralise redness, minimise imperfections and I hope it helps my make up to stay longer!

      Burjois 10 hour sleep effect foundation
      We all love the glow of our skin when we are well-rested but let's face it, sleeping early doesn't sound very fun. I'd really like to invest in this because my skin gets really dull whenever I stay up late, which is quite often!
      KATE deep liquid liner  in brown
       Personally, I don't wear any eye makeup on a daily basis. Somehow, i just don't think black eyeliner suits me.  I'd like to try using this dark brown liquid liner because lately I've just been really bored of my plain everyday look. 

      MAC mineralize skinfinish natural
      As I'm not very picky with powders, I always settle for cheaper drugstore alternatives. This has been on my wishlist for ages and I hope I can get it this month.


      Ecotools brush set
      Since I will be trying more products, it's time I buy a brush set! I've got my eye on this set by ecotools because it is affordable and it comes with the brush holder.
      Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Butter, Lip Ice Sheer Color
      Okay these two items don't really belong in the wish list because I've already bought them and I will be using them a lot this month. Both very moisturising and have lasting colour. I recommend using these instead of lipstick if your lips are chapped and dry. 

      Looks like I have a lotta shopping to do!
      Any suggestions on products I should try? Let me know!

      ♡♡♡
      Arianne




      Monday, February 25, 2013

      DIY: Redesign your old denim shorts!

      Hi there! So these shorts are at the top of my "most worn-out items" list. I got it for only 10 bucks when I was on a school trip in Korea. The quality of the material is so good that it has lasted me more than 2 years! I like its distressed denim design at the front but all the machine washing has caused the "distressed" parts to completely tear apart and I was literally left with a big hole in that area. Not a style I could pull off. Instead of throwing it away, I wanted to give it a make over. 

      What you'll need:
      1. Old denim shorts
      2. Fabric scissors or any large scissors
      3. Sewing thread and needle
      4. Any print or pattern of your choice
      5. Studs and spikes (optional)
      I used one of my old floral tops but you can use any piece of fabric that has a print or pattern that you like. You could even add studs and spikes!

       STEPS
      1. Lay out your fabric on the back pocket and mark out the shape with a pencil.

      2. Cut out the shape that you want. I did not want to cover the whole pocket.

      3.You can cover one or both back pockets but I decided to cover only the right side. Sew it on.

      4. Cut out your fabric into the size of the area you want to patch up.

      5. Turn your shorts inside out and sew it on.
      6. If you have any studs or spikes, plan out how you will place them carefully before hooking them on.
      7. Enjoy your new shorts!

      FRONT
      BACK

      Ta-daaa! This was how mine turned out. Considering that I had to teach myself how to sew, I'm very happy with the outcome! *pats myself on the back* I purposely chose the floral prints because it's a trend this spring/summer. I haven't decided if I'll add any studs or spikes yet. 
      What do you think? =D

      Arianne


      Saturday, February 23, 2013

      Online shopping

      DISCLAIMER: I purchased all of these items with my own money. I am in no way affiliated with the brands/companies mentioned in this post.
      Hi there! 
      Personally, I've always had mixed feelings about online shopping. I'm very paranoid that my items may be lost during shipping or that they won't fit me well. But I can't deny that it is convenient and I always find unique and trendy items online.

      I've been browsing through some local blog shops and just couldn't resist these items. I wasn't looking for anything specific but I do have a weakness for knit tops and floral prints. I ended up ordering three items from three different blog shops. The first 2 items arrived about 4 days after I confirmed my payment and I was so excited! The 3rd item, a dress, hasn't arrived yet. But so far, I'm very happy about my purchases!
      Rose Knit Pullover from Noixcracker (27 SGD including shipping)
      I just think this top is so lovely. It has a high-low hemline and I love the keyhole cut out at the back. The material is thin enough for me to wear this coming spring/summer season and it is very, very soft. It comes in one size, large, so it is a bit oversized which makes it more adorable. 
      Noixcracker has become one of my fave blog shops not only for their trendy collection but also because of their swift service. I will definitely be shopping more from them in the future. Check them out, they ship worldwide!

      Cream Knitted Sweater from Quinze (26 SGD including shipping)
       I was really drawn to the detailing of this sweater. Doesn't it look like expensive cashmere? But for half the price! I was so pleased with the material when I tried it on. Now you may be thinking, "Do you really need that in Singapore's hot weather?" Yes I do need it! Even if it's mostly hot and sunny outside, I'm always indoors where it is air-conditioned and cold. Now I can look cute while feeling perfectly warm and cozy, especially on rainy days!
      The sweater actually looks thicker than it really is, so it isn't too thick or uncomfortable to wear. Quinze has a great collection of unique but very affordabe items and they also ship internationally!


      I just wanna blog about my Saturday. I actually wore this sweater to work this morning. I work at a small gifts/crafts shop and I always get VERY cold during my shifts, so this kept me nice and warm. I also tied my hair into a fishtail braid.

       After work I was craving for my favourite caramel frappe so I headed to the nearby Starbucks. I only wanted to get a tall frappe but I noticed the cute mugs sold there and the even cuter barista. HAHA. I ended up spending more money than I needed to ($10++!) How can I say no to good coffee and a cute barista? Maybe I'll be going to that Starbucks more often. Hehehe.

      How's your weekend so far?

      Arianne



      Thursday, February 21, 2013

      Tuesday, February 19, 2013

      How I style: Button Up Tops

      DISCLAIMER: I purchased all of these items with my own money. I am in no way affiliated with the brands/companies mentioned in this post.
      I actually had a bit of a dilemma yesterday as I was trying to pick an outfit for school. I felt like I've worn my  favourite top (2nd from the left) too many times this month. I'm sure some of you ladies have experienced this too. Haha. Well, I love my button-up tops as they are not too casual nor formal for school. There are other types (long-sleeves and peter pan collars) which I have yet to add to my wardrobe. Today I just wanna share some of the ways I like to style these versatile tops.

      Apologies in advance for the awkward poses and quality of the pictures, I'm still trying to get the hang of photography and editing!

      Top: Pepper Plus, Cardigan: Esprit, Shorts: Cotton On, Necklace: Forever 21
      I just adore the colour of this top, light turquoise. I used to only wear this by itself but this morning I paired it with this cute necklace and cardigan. I was pleased with the outcome, the necklace resembles a bowtie which I thought was a nice touch.

      Top: H&M, Shorts: Cotton On, Necklace: Rubi
      This black top is a staple piece, it can match almost everything in your closet. I just went for this cool angel wings necklace and buttoned it all the way up. Sophisticated look? Close enough :)

      Top & Necklace: Forever 21,  Shorts: Cotton On, White tank: H&M
      Is it just me or do blue & white stripes always look nautical? This gorgeous anchor necklace matches the top well for a "sailor" inspired outfit. Also, I can just button it up, ditch the anchor necklace and it still looks cute!

      Top: Thrifted, Shorts: Forever 21
      Check out those adorable bows for buttons! I wanted the focus to be on that detail so I didn't accessorize. Instead, I opted for my favourite shorts ever. If you can't already tell, I love pink. These shorts were made for me!

      Shoes for all the looks: TOMS!
      These are my go-to shoes for school. Super comfy and matches most of my outfits .
      All the accessories used


      Thank you so much for reading! I hope you got some inspiration from these outfits. Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments!


       I am actually in the midst of exams, so I won't be posting until Friday. I'm so excited for my school break ! SO MANY BLOG POST IDEAS.


      I think my next post shall be my February Favourites. Any of you have done one already? Leave me a link and i'll check it out.



      Arianne


      Sunday, February 17, 2013

      Liebster Award



      Wow, I am so honoured to be nominated for this award by Ariadna , who has a great blog definitely worth checking out! 

       Just to explain briefly, this award is presented to blogs with interesting content but with only less than 200 followers. "Liebster" is actually a German word which translates to "dearest" in English. I am beyond flattered that my brand new blog is considered deserving of this recognition! 


      Rules of the Liebster Award:

      1. Link back the person who nominated you
      2. Write 11 random facts about you
      2. Answer the 11 questions from the person that nominated you
      4. Nominate 11 people and come up with 11 questions for them to answer


      Questions from Ariadna:


      1. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

      The Maldives!

      2.Who's your favourite YouTuber? 

      Ryan Higa

      3.What's the worst film you have ever seen? And the best one? 

      Worst: Paranormal Activity 1- I couldn't sleep for 3 nights after watching it.
      Best : The Notebook

      4.What's your favourite shop? 

      Topshop!

      5.Who's your favourite singer? (or band) 

      Singer: Rihanna
      Band: All Time Low (Seeing them live next month!)

      6.What's your most worn out item?

      Denim shorts

      7.If you could meet anyone, who would it be? 

      Finn Harries 

      8. What's your dream job? 

      To write and direct films, but I've accepted that this isn't gonna happen.

      9.If you had a daughter what would her name be? 

      A name taken from her father's name.

      10. Who's your favourite blogger?

      Zoella , she inspired me to start this blog.

      11. Are you addicted to any social networks? 
      ANY?! More like ALL of them! 

      Haha, especially Twitter & Instagram!
      1.http://gleepface.com

      2.http://mermaidhairandtoomuchmakeup.blogspot.sg/

      3.http://harrietdaisy.blogspot.sg/

      4. http://stephsbeautyboutique.blogspot.sg/

      5.http://thecurleygirl.blogspot.sg/

      6. http://lovelymichelle-y.blogspot.co.uk/

      7.http://bitsandbeautybobs.blogspot.sg/

      8. http://lashingsoflipstick.blogspot.sg/

      9. http://littlegemm.blogspot.sg/

      10.http://reveriebelle.blogspot.sg/

      11. http://variedd.blogspot.sg/

      11 Questions From Me
      1. How do you describe your fashion style?
      2. Who's your favourite blogger?
      3. How long have you been blogging?
      4. What is your favorite make-up brand?
      5. Do you spend more money on fashion or beauty products?
      6. Who do you look up to the most?
      7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you stay?
      8. What's your dream job?
      9. Favorite tv shows at the moment?
      10. What kind of music is on your playlist?
      11. If you were to have a daughter, what would you name her?

      This is such a great way to know more about fellow bloggers. Thank you so much, I hope you have fun doing this tag as well! 

      Arianne






      Saturday, February 16, 2013

      Lashes Of London Blogger Competition


      This is my entry for the blogger competition by Lashes of London!
      Link to their website: http://bit.ly/XX3Wg6

      I know it's a long shot but it's worth a try. I've just found out about it today and rushed into making my own entry as the deadline is tomorrow, 17th february for submission. Argh, I really wish I found out about it sooner, it's been open for entries since about 2 weeks ago! 

      Anyway, this was also the first time I've come across their site and I gotta say, I love their collection of trendy pieces that are hard to find here in Singapore... and they do ship worldwide! There were so many pieces that I wanted in my wardrobe and these are just a few of my faves. 

      MY TOP PICKS


      Candy Cane Sequin Skater Dress £37.50 

      (62 SGD)

      Wearing this dress can make anyone look effortlessly chic.The colour combination is perfect. The sequins add a touch of glamour without making the dress too flashy. Love it!

      Metallica Skater Dress

      £65.00 (107.46 SGD)
      This dress is definitely a head-turner. Just think about how stunning you would look wearing this to any upcoming party.
      Violetta metallic lace skater skirt
      £45.00 (74.40 SGD)
      Just read the description of the skirt again. It's a metallic & lace skater skirt with a very pretty pattern. This is clearly a must-have!
      Atlantis Sequin Minidress (also comes in black)
      £32.50 (53.73 SGD)
      It is THE perfect dress for a fun night out.
      Cult PU pleated skirt
      £21.00 (34.72 SGD)
      Thinking about all the possible outfits I can create by pairing with this skirt is making me too excited already. Something about pleated skirts just really makes an outfit look well put together.
      Iris watercolour dip-hem skirt
      £40.00 (66.13 SGD)
      The colour combination is beautiful. I would pair this with a plain top to balance out the busy pattern or even a bikini top at the beach!

      Palms Belted Playsuit

      £14.70 (24 SGD)


      I love how this playsuit can be easily dressed up or down with the right accessories. 


      The prize is a £200 voucher to spend at www.lashesoflondon.com. How awesome is that?! 

      To join
      1. Create your own wish list style collage of your favourite items from Lashes of London
      2. Post about it on your blog with a link through to the Lashes website using this link: http://bit.ly/XX3Wg6.
      3. Email the link of your blog post to bloggers@e-tailwebstores.com.

      The collage can include as many items as you want, they do not have to come to a total of £200. 

      On 18th February, Lashes of London will upload their favourite 8 collages to their Facebook page and then announce the final winner on Tuesday 19th February!

      Good Luck Everyone !
       Arianne