make it work

The photos from the Bay Hotel Photo Challenge are out!!!
Basically we were taken into a room one by one and were briefed to change into one of the 3 outfits given, choose 1 out of 5 locations, and spend a maximum of 15 minutes to take 5 good shots. I was exhausted from the day's activities but it was really exciting and nerve-wrecking because I'm usually the one behind the camera. I didn't win (it was well-deserved by lovely kim and joring) but I had tons of fun ordering Darwis around to help me take crazy shots (whoops) I only could get these so I didn't get to see my crazier ones. Check out my pointed toes!!! Must be all that conditioning I did for my contemporary dance earlier on in the year. Kudos to my choreographers. But I did learn an important point and that it's really all about working the space. You know how photographers (me, gracia, shiya etc.) always complain about location location location but really, anywhere can be a good space to get good photographs. 

I also had the privilege to do a runway show for Dressabelle! Yet another fresh experience for me. I met Francesca, the blogshop model, and she is even prettier in real life than in the photos! I was a bit starstruck heehee. Kinda sucked that we didn't have enough time to work on our catwalk. Honestly felt that my walk could have been TONS better but I love being on stage anyhow. It was amazeballs fun! We had our makeup artist on standby as well as our own personal changer to quick change into 3 different outfits. 

So far the MSI experience had been supersonic hypnotic funky fresh but made a gazillion times more awesome because I really have such lovely girls by my side. Everyone is secretly an inner crazy chick heehee and such great fun to be with. One of my pageant besties is Kimmy!!!!!! Happy 20th gorgeous ♡♡♡

Can't imagine doing MSI without you esp. with our spontaneous selfies/ your left profile and my right profile is better/ nature wonders fruit and nuts (omnomnom!)/ chickpeas are gross etc. Throwback to our mini HTHT sesh with gelato at our first public appearance! You are such a beautiful person inside and out; truly glad to have found you! Here's to more giggles and laughs x  

21st

Turning 21

Traditionally I would go out for tea on my birthday but I decided do throw a party this year instead! I thought it would be a nice change to have a big garden party themed bash...until I was sitting down on the floor making paper flowers for the party the same day I came back from Nepal. Thank goodness for Amanda, Jorji and JW who responded to my emergency SOS call and saved me from drowning in the entire stack of paper flowers.

Mucho gracias to Gracia & Xiang Liang for offering to do the catering for my party. I am proud and glad to be your first client!!! They were very sensitive to my wants and customized the sweets and savouries just the way I like it. As per tradition, they baked me an Earl Grey Tea cake alongside goodies such as pavlova, pulled pork burgers, devilled eggs, tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole. I've had tons of compliments about the food and the decor from the guests so if anyone is interested in hiring them, I'm more than happy to share the contact! 

Here's us behind the scenes! Seriously so thankful for these two because I was being all frazzled but they just calmly took control of the party and always made sure that I (and my crazy hair) was okay. All photo credits go to them too!

Thank you to my family and friends who took time off and even rushed down from work to come to my 21st! You know who you are! 

I actually learnt that I don't really like throwing big parties HAHA. As much as I am ecstatic to see people I love all gather in one place I guess I really enjoy the intimacy of small groups a lot more because I get to properly listen and talk to them. I surprise myself sometimes. Even at 21, there's always more things to discover about yourself. 

Just sent my films for developing! So excite!!! Can't wait to blog about my life-changing trip to Nepal. It was beyong W-O-W and I want to share my experience to all those who are willing to hear it. 

More exciting things are happening (as some of you have already heard) but first off, I'm going for a staycation at Bay Hotel tomorrow ;) xx 

chaleureux

I SLEPT FOR 3 DAYS STRAIGHT - seriously, all I did was wake up to eat and just slumber the rest of the day away. Apparently, my fellow dancers fell into this same eternal sleep as I did.
The last thing we did was go out for our long awaited A3 girls Friday Night Out and we checked out Market of Artists and Designers (MAAD) which is held only once a month. I was pretty sleepy but heck, I've always wanted to go but I never actually went until now.

I met Epigram Books and they just launched their new book, A Certain Exposure - which has officially landed itself on my to-read list over the summer. Also met Quanda Ong, who's the founder of Gnome & Bow. Okay, so I have this thing for menswear/mens fashion which some may find weird but Quanda was really friendly and cool about it. We were just talking and discussing about design philosophies and he gave me a detailed look into his products. It's pretty sick how he incorporates a storyline to his design concepts that gives it this quirky edge; totes amazing that he sees his vision from start to end. The first collection is based on the Hare and Tortoise fable but with a slight twist. You have to go check the bag to find out what I'm talking about. Definitely going to see him and Gnome & Bow around.

I also found my beloved Bear the Pug!!! Bear the Pug Balloon recently farted it's helium life away so I have comforted myself with a Bear the Pug wooden brooch which I carry with me on my tote bag. So qt!

We went to Swee Choon and I am in love with their new Egg White w Banana and Red Bean. It's this explosion of textures and tastes that's strangely complementary. Also, made the obligatory trip to Mustafa. The A3 girls were like naaaaah we're not going to buy anything, we'll just follow you and it ended up with us spending 3 hours and packing an entire trolley full of groceries/bath products/etc. Mustafa, you are dope. 

I finally went home after 3 months and I got restless pretty quick so I went out and finally got my hair cut. I had to grow it long for my two performances and I got tired of looking like an upside-down mop so I went to get a lob (long bob) instead. I wanted to look badass as Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction but...somehow I look more primary school kid than 1994 American Queen of Badassery. 

Bought TWG macarons, brewed Bain de Rose tea, played some Françoise Hardy and threw a petit French tea party in lieu of JW's birthday next week. Enjoying some quiet time before the hectic weeks ahead.

jorji | 23

Happy 23rd Jorji x

The story behind how we met has become quite a spectacle. We met in Arts Camp as SPs...which is quite ridiculous but somehow when you put two awkward weirdos together it goes insanely well I would say. His friendship is one of the best things I've took away from Arts Camp. He believes in me more than I ever could and it's heartwarming to know that I can talk to him about anything - theatre or alpacas or the different types of shoe polish.

SO HAPPY Gosh I'd thought I wouldn't be able to pull this surprise picnic off, especially since I'm on an extended MC (18 days!!!) but I spent 3 days carefully planning the menu and with the help of Jin Wen, we did it!!! We had aglio olio, homemade italian meatballs, grilled chicken wraps, potato salad, chocolate-covered strawberries, (store-bought) tiramisu cake and wine. Thank you Char Tay for giving me really helpful advice for cooking! We invited some of his closest friends at Botanic Gardens and I prayed really hard for good weather. It was such a relief that the weather was just perfect for an evening picnic! I'm extremely tired - it's hard being 贤妻良母 but it was worth it seeing him enjoy himself.