Thursday, June 23, 2011

H&M x Versace






















The Scandinavian high street retailer has announced that it is collaborating with high-end Italian power house, Versace on a line that will debut in stores in November. 

What a treat it will be for fashionistas to go to H&M and pick up some affordable Versace fashion. During my tenure with Versace, I remember my impression of the brand with the medusa head, the loud and colourful prints on oh so tight dresses with intricate details. But as the brand progresses, the loud and the flamboyant is still there, but then, the collection each season oozes femininity and glamour, all thanks to Donatella, who took over the reign of operating the company after her brother Gianni was brutally murdered in 1997.

In an interview with TIME magazine, Donatella discussed how she keeps Gianni’s spirit alive through Versace. “When Gianni started, fashion was about being safe, being sophisticated. The word glamour didn’t exist. Gianni invented glamour. It meant women not being afraid to embrace femininity and sensuality. I make sure glamour stays,” she said.  With a true understanding of how the feminine body curves and moves, she has certainly made her brother’s legacy proud.

According to Margareta van den Bosch, creative adviser of H&M, “Versace is one of the most important brands of recent times, and their collection for H&M will be glamorous and flamboyant—everything Versace stands for. Indeed.

Donatella Versace says the collaboration will feature styles based on some of Gianni Versace's signature looks. "I'm going to use iconic Versace pieces of iconic Versace moments," Donatella Versace says in the announcement. “Of course there are going to be prints, and of course there is going to be leather, and of course there are going to be studs—but they're going to be gold and they're going to be glamorous and exciting. Rock and roll." And in case you want a little preview of what to expect, Donatella wore one of the dresses -a form-fitting leather dress accented with gold and silver studs-- to her recent menswear show in Milan. I love the cream coloured shift with gold accented studs. But you need to be quite tall and slim to pull it off, no? Perhaps the gold studded jacket (which goes with everything!) or the impossibly high shoes?

Are you excited about this new designer collaboration? Oh, there’s also a Pre-Spring collection in the works for next January. Perhaps Donatella was swayed by the overwhelming success of Lanvin for H&M this year, where the collection sold out within hours.

Monday, June 20, 2011

A celebration of life & death

This morning, I received news that one of my church mate's father had gone home to be with the Lord. Last week, another relative of mine had also passed away. 2 deaths within 2 weeks is abit much. There is that feeling of sadness, loss, denial, anguish, of whys and especially so for the grieving family. I pray that God will give them the peace & strength in this very difficult time of coping the loss of their loved ones. And it is times like this that you desire to spend more time with your family and loved ones. Sudden deaths or illnesses, it is unpredictable. Only God knows.
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die…." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
Read: http://ojgraham.com/Death.htm

Friday, June 10, 2011

It's Friday!!

The day everyone looks forward to is here. Again. Today I'm going to be very busy cooking as I steal a minute now to post this! Haha. I have about 12 people coming tonight, I am cooking and we will be celebrating 3 persons birthday! Sounds like alot going on ya. Will post some pics up if I can find the time to take some!  :))

Thursday, June 9, 2011

"Thanks for noticing me." - Eeyore

A very belated birthday to my beloved donkey! :)
I love my purple donkey. His name is Eeyore and he was created on 10 May, 1871 (140 years old!). I've baked him a chocolate fudge cake decorated with purple flowers. His favourite food are thistles. But for a change, I hope he likes the cake! I feel like I can relate to this quirky creature alot. He is actually quite knowledgeable yet he confines his knowledge to himself. Eeyore has a depressive nature and is gloomy most of the time. But the pink ribbon tied to his tail, which he keeps losing might just give an occasional hint of joy. Or maybe not.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A unique dining experience like no other @ Soneva Kiri!





Launched by Soneva Kiri by Six Senses, the Treepod Dining experience is a spectacular way to enjoy a meal with a view amidst the Thai jungle. To conceive an idea like this must have been quite wild and unbelievable.

Guests first board the rattan like a bird’s nest on the ground level, sit tight with leather seatbelts fasten and then get gently hoisted 16 feet up into the tall trees. Each pod is comfortably cushioned and seats four diners. Your waiter zips to and fro via a zip line from a small platform perched halfway down the hill. Once meals are served, he zips back up the hill. Diners can enjoy the peaceful, clear waters surrounding remote Koh Kood (also known for it’s waterfalls and village life) interrupted occasionally by a bewildered squirrel or the passing butterfly. The Treepod is situated at one of the best vantage points the resort offers; a few yards along the coastal path from the resort’s main facilities on the west facing side of the island.

In collaboration with Olav Bruin 24h Architects, British-born Louis Thompson, designer of both the Treepod Dining and Soneva Kiri’s Eco Villa commented, “It has taken two and a half years from design to final realisation; it is great to see it so appreciated by guests. Even people without a head for heights are thoroughly enjoying it! The element I am particularly proud of is that we actually managed to build it without any bolts or attachments into the actual trees. I strongly feel that the concept has a range of other applications which I am really looking forward to investigating. We are also looking into guests being able to fly on the zip line through the jungle themselves!”

Now, who could resist the opportunity to dine up in the canopy in your own private tree house? Maybe this can be proposed to the NPark for their new project at Garden By The Bay. 

We have enough Treetop walks. So how about Treetop dining eh?

Monday, April 25, 2011

All 7 puppies have been adopted!

Yeah!! :)))))))

Thanks to everyone who have so lovingly open their homes to embrace the puppies! I am happy that they have been given a second chance. Choose to adopt!

Friday, April 22, 2011

TODAYonline | Singapore | Untrained animal catchers a cause for concern

I am totally appalled when I read the article. $250 for each stray dogs brought in? I agree with some readers here that the money would be better use to sterilise the pets! And AVA can have the cheek to say that there are no trained or proper procedures in capturing the animals. Coming from a government body who's mission is to "ensure the health & safeguard the welfare of animal", it is preposterous to say that no structure is in place. And what exactly does the External dog catchers have to comply with AVA's so called guidelines for capture, handling and transportation of animals & the use of animal traps? Using fishing lines & hooks? This is most unhumane and I cannot fathom the suffering, fear & pain the animals go through each time such unethical and inhumane ways are used to capture them. Can AVA please clarify these points? What is the use of being a government body with mission statements that is totally opposite of what the company practices? If this goes on, animal welfare groups will be more hard pressed to care & protect our furry animals more than ever before. Why can't AVA partner with the animal welfare groups to work out a solution instead of culling them? I read with sadness that 95% of the 1,800 animals dogs/cats caught have to be euthanized annually. I strongly urged AVA to re-look at their policies or structure of animal culling to prevent more deaths in the unprofessional way these so called dog catcher uses. We will be watching.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

And then there were 3

An update:
Knickers has been adopted!! 3 more sweethearts up for adoption. And here they are.


Choose to adopt

What a weekend it was on 16 Apr, Sat when these 7 puppies were rescued under a carpark ramp in an industrial area. All are between 6 - 8 weeks and are currently up for adoption. So far, Ginger, Latte & Snowy have gone to loving homes. 4 more to go and I hope people who are looking for dogs will choose to adopt. Every year, AVA puts down 95% of the 1,800 strays caught. It is heartbreaking so let's do what we can to save and rehome as many as possible. Every dog deserves a second chance in life. Choose to adopt. 
I came across this written by a lady called Vanessa on the ASD website. It is very touching and I hope it warms your heart too on a grey, cloudy afternoon today.


See That Stray 
(WAD 2003 Prose Winner)
By Vanessa


See that stray across the road
No food to eat, no place to go
He walks and walks to find a home
But alas, he ends up always alone


See that stray searching for food
It's never enough, it's never good
His tired legs must carry him far
Thru dangers by road and by car


See that stray next to you
No shelter for his weary soul
Take him home and give him hope
Take him in and give him peace within


Take the risk and you shall see
How a stray will set you free
Free to give the love you have
Free to love him and his past


FInd out more from these 2 animal shelters if you would like to adopt a pet or simply sign up to be a volunteer OR donate some money to keep the cause going. They are set up by like-minded animal lovers who are passionate and committed to caring and loving abandoned strays. Let's do our part to love and care for our four-legged furry friends whichever way we can. A little goes a long way!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Spring to the new Kate Spade Website!

Am I so ready for Spring! Kate Spade’s new website is filled with punchy and vibrant colours of the season’s latest collection and the ever whimsical accessories! Choose to ‘shop’ online for the latest offerings while ‘play’ is devoted to editorial content of their latest books, films, projects and event. The website is easy to navigate and very lifestyle inspired. I like. Now let me decide if I should go for the yellow or the neon pink Essex Scout…

Check it out at 
www.katespade.com

Friday, April 15, 2011

Abercrombie & Fitch To Open In Singapore




Now I posted on Nov 12 last year about the A&F store in Ginza, Tokyo.

So now I hear they are coming to Singapore in the third quarter of this year and will take residence at Knightsbridge, all 4 storeys of it. While it did not ruffle as much feathers as when we first heard about H&M coming to our shores, it is still worth it to go check it out. Store concept and all. Here’s why.

Having been to the A&F store in Tokyo, it is definitely an alternative shopping experience for me. At the entrance, take an instant Polaroid with a topless A&F store employee. Don’t worry, it’s free of charge. Then get ushered up an elevator to the top floor with a guide explaining in both English and Japanese the store’s concept and to asks any questions you may have. Trek down from the 11th storey amidst loud disco music, dim lighting & scent of its signature strong cologne. (Perfume critic Chandler Burr says it best in his NY Times magazine piece titled, ‘Display It, Don’t Spray It’). The boisterous retail assistants (whom I believe were recruited from modeling agencies) zoom in on you on each level rendering their assistance when they are not busy dancing and singing along to the music, making the relatively cramped sales space feel even more claustrophobic for consumers.

When I came out of the building, my ears were ringing,, I smell like its signature American old cologne, my wallet was still full and everything was a blur.

Did I just come out from a store, a club, a modelling agency or a Chippendale concert? It’s anyone’s guess.