Today Was A Fairytale.

28th February 2010 – marks the end of something enormously special. I wouldn’t forget it for anything in the world, I wouldn’t forget the tears and the joy, the conversations, the inexplicable feelings. Every action, every word spoken meant something. And it definitely opens a new chapter of our lives. It ended on a good note. A positive attitude to it all.

But deep down in my heart, I know life is wonderful because I have you in it.

Thank you for your unconditional love, that of a saint’s, making this episode a perfect fairytale.

Promises are meant to be delivered, not to be broken.

I will make them come true just for you.

Style, Updated with Custo Barcelona.

ASOS

Custo Barcelona

One of my favourite labels arrived when Ion Orchard opened in Singapore – Custo Barcelona! I’m attracted by the vibrancy, sexiness and effortless beauty of their designs and flair for discovering freedom, flamboyance and confidence in fashion. I can’t live without colours, and I discovered my personality in CB :)

Label Overview

Started by brothers Custo and David Dalmau in 1981, Custo Barcelona was born on a motorcycle trip across America. Inspired by the lax attitude of southern California, the pair returned to their native Barcelona and started a business crafting T-shirts for men and women with screen-prints and illustrations. Now the brand extends to everything from suits to swimwear, and it’s still the colors and prints that keep bringing customers back. The look is bold, bright, and psychedelic, and has a particularly high appeal in international markets—they account for almost 85 percent of all company sales.

Clients: Charlize Theron, Taye Diggs, Christina Aguilera, Antonio Banderas, Shakira

CUSTO Barcelona’s Spring Summer 09

Ryan Lochte and singer Aubrey O’Day attend the Custo Barcelona Fall 2009

Spring/Summer 2010

Even their sweaters look so gorgeous!

The best part is, they have a line for males too!

Check them out here, and @ Ion as well :) Their F/W 2010 collection’s out already!

Dance of Delight!

It has been so long since I felt so happy! Today I woke up feeling exceptionally exhilarated, but I’m not sure why, and anyway I can’t say it yet. My mood was extra boosted by a dose of feel good music from my brother’s mp3 player, and unsurprisingly “I’ve got a feeling” from Black Eyed Peas really did the trick today.

Maybe it was because of a really good chat with my brother Jon last night. It was a laughter-filled one, and absolutely heartfelt. I’m so glad I met him :)

And I still feel good now. It’s totally infectious, like there was a spring in my steps as I was on my way to work today, even the smell of onions just before I reached the office didn’t bother me – for once. I think people could sense my joy, a few even looked in my way, maybe quizzically, maybe enviously, I don’t know. Elaine also asked why I’m so happy today!

But seriously no matter how tired you are, how lazy you feel and how moody, an optimistic outlook really changes everything. Today I experienced the ultimate. When you’re happy even work doesn’t feel like work, and guess what, you become more productive at work, and everyone around you will feel the joy. It’s like smiling while typing an sms and the recipient somehow knows that YOU ARE SMILING. Amazing, isn’t it?

Well, I have a proposal (iLead’s business case) due tomorrow night and I’m only halfway through. Gotta step on it tonight, but before I end this post, here’s another beautiful song I heard from Huiwen’s playlist today. Enjoy :)

Savage Garden – Santa Monica

In Santa Monica, in the winter time,
The lazy streets so undemanding
I walk into the crowd
In Santa, Monica, you get your coffee from
The coolest places on the promenade
Where the people dress just so
Beauty so unavoidable, everywhere you turn
It's there
I sit and wonder what am
I doing here?
But on the telephone line
I am anyone
I am anything I want to be
I can be a super model or
Norman Mailer
And you wouldn't know the difference
Or would you?
In santa Monica, all the people got modern names
Like Jake or Mandy
And modern bodies too
In Santa Monica, on the boulevard,
You'll have to dodge those in-line skaters
or they'll knock you down
I never felt so lonely,
Never felt so out of place
I never wanted something more than this
But on the telephone line I am anyone
I am anything I want to be
I can be a supermodel or
Norman Mailer
And you wouldn't know the difference
On the telephone line, I am any height
I am any age I want to be
I can be a caped crusader, or a space invader
And you wouldn't know the difference
Or would you?

Vanity’s Lust.

I absolutely love this!!!

Sephora Singapore has revealed that the Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows will cost S$88 (the set is priced at US$52 in the States). According to Urban Decay’s head makeup artist Eric Jimenez, our sunny island will receive 400 pieces of this limited edition item. Do call Sephora Ion or Sephora Ngee Ann City to make your reservation now.

and this!

Looking forward to the following movies :)))

Alice in Wonderland!

Dear John

Nine

Talk about being a movie junkie.

I get lots of inspiration from movies, and I usually don’t forget about it after watching it.

Away from the realities and hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s good to escape from it sometimes and indulge in the fantasies of pseudo-worlds.

That’s why I love science fiction.

Anyway, I still love Avatar sooo much!

Alrights, enough random talk now, back to work, still got a couple of emails to send.

Oh wait.

I have one more question for my dear readers.

As you all know, I’m revamping my blog and I need a nice photo for the header. I’m so glad Chester is willing to help me. He asked a really good question:

“Can you share with me some outfits that you intend to shoot with?”

Should I get something from my wardrobe, or buy a new outfit altogether?

The proposed location will be Ion Orchard.

Tis a pressing question.

Hmmmm…

7 Male Friends Every Girl Should Have :)

I chanced upon this article cum feature in MSN Lifestyle and I thought it’s really appropriate with regards to what I was intending to share in this post.

Essential male friends: A guide to which guys (girls) need in their lives!

As we all know, it’s important to have a variety of friends, and of course even when you’re attached it’s always good to have a bunch of guy friends you can rely on for advice, male opinion, a compliment boost or even a good, old harmless flirt to spice things up once in awhile. While some guys can be such a pain in the ass, there are great ones out there who have a genuine heart and plenty of room to offer their love :)

If you need prototypes as examples for what I’m talking about, here goes:

The adventurer

This is probably a guy that you could have met on a holiday or have known from school or college. In your mind, he is the memory maker. He is someone that exudes fun and when you are around him, you know you will never be bored. He has a plethora of fun ideas up his sleeves to keep everyone entertained.

He will no doubt, push you out of your comfort zone, but you will afterwards appreciate it and learn that there is always time from wild exploits. This isn’t a guy that you will be able to turn down as he is always on the move and needs his space.

The platonic friend with no sexual tension

While you are obviously aware he is of the opposite sex, there is no chance of you jumping in to bed with him. Here’s hoping he feels the same way about you. If this is the case, then this is a measure of testosterone so straightforward and loyal, that nothing (apart from maybe a new girlfriend) will blemish it.

Most importantly, this male friend can strip away man-talk and give you the reality in bite-sized nuggets of so-called male wisdom. Without a whisper of an ulterior motive. He’s like a brother from another mother and a guy that you can jump into bed and watch a film knowing that there won’t be any wandering hands.

The platonic friend with sexual tension

You have wild fantasies about this guy and while you love to think about them, it is not something that you would act on. And that is a good thing as there is a valid reason why the two of you haven’t reached ‘that point of no return’. You know at the end of the day, that it isn’t a great idea and one that will ruin a perfectly good and fun friendship.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t fit in some thinly veiled compliments and revel in delight in his faux-jealousy when you complain about jerks. It’s like a cheap (but oh so yummy) fast food burger. Harmless in small doses.

The charmer

Flirting with someone, or having someone flirt with you is an instant pick-me-up and therefore, it is essential to have a male friend that is a smooth talker and charmer. We all have our off days and knowing that we have someone in our address book that gives out flirtatious and positive comments like nobody’s business, is great to have around.

A little harmless flirting never hurt anyone, especially when you know it isn’t going anywhere and it’s just a bit of fun to have.

Valued friend

There are some guys that we meet and know are going to be great friends for a long time. So many people come in and out of our lives and it is sometimes hard to keep in touch with everyone. However, this person is someone who has added value to your life. He is the man with good values, virtues, upbringing, disciplined and focus.

They are the type of men that make you realise your dreams in a positive way without soiling your hands or delving into immorality and evil lifestyle and reaffirm your faith that there are good men out there that you can date… but not this one. He is there as a friend and advisor.

The totally honest guy

The thing is, with girls, they don’t always tell each other the whole honest truth when it comes to opinions on what they are wearing, other girls and of course, men. Girls, can of course, be a bit catty amongst one another and rivalry can be high, even with close friends. On the other hand, they can be tactful among one another so as not to hurt one another’s opinions: “that’s not weight you have put on, it’s just a bit of water retention.”

A guy can tell us straight without making us feel so offended. They are simple creatures and tell things how they are and how they see them, like: “Hmm, you’re looking a bit frumpy today” or “you know the guy you are dating is a …….” It’s not always what we want to hear, but a male friend like this is honest and straight to the point. No beating around the bush.

He is also your gateway to how men think, but more importantly, how men see you; both of which are extremely useful sources of information to get your hands on.

The gay friend

This one is so clear it borders on cliché. What are we saying? It is a cliché, but dry spells and gay friends go together like champagne and strawberries. Nobody is better to have a good b*tch session with and lament the evils of men while watching reruns of ‘Sex and the City’.

Gay guys are still guys, too. Same state of mind, just a mixture of girls-in-hot-tub and muscle-boys-on-sports-field. You get the idea, and thankfully, that aggression will never be directed toward you and you get the best of both worlds.

credits to MSN Singapore

***

The thing is, I totally agree with most of what you see above in the various descriptions of the different types of guys we girls need in our lives. If I actually have one of each, that will be really cool.

Do I? Definitely a few in my social circle fit the bill, but I wouldn’t stop looking.

I love men, in every sense of the word. Not only because I’m comfortable with my own sexuality, but also because they’re such honest, straightforward and simple creatures. Out with the complicated, manipulative ones though.

Moreover, I really appreciate Gays.

***

I was really touched last night by a birthday present from my dearest brother, Jonathan.

He wrote me a song, sang it, recorded it and sent it to me upon my request (because I want to keep it forever :))

Thank you, my most cherished brother. You rock!!!

DEAR SIS,

Has been, 23 yrs after your birth..

You grow bigger, stronger and smarter

Look at those eyes, look at those looks

Getting more matured, and wiser..

23yrs of life, experiencing joy and pain

Growing up, and learning in life

That is a gift from God

Happy Birthday to you, Melissa

Happy Birthday, my sister

And hope your future, is the fruitfullest of all

Happy Birthday  x3

TO YOU!

My brother Jonathan :)))

Finding Happiness.

It’s the day after my birthday and I thought that I had made a very important decision yesterday.

I believe that happiness can be achieved if I work for it, fight for it and live for it.

If something is a stumbling block to my happiness, I guess I had better remove it because life is too short to waste time being indecisive and mulling over unhappy stuff that probably don’t have solutions especially when it involves other people who kinda refuses to cooperate.

It always takes two to clap.

Sometimes I sound very serious about such things and it scares people and they’ll be like “you know, chill”. But you have to go through the pain and the experience of being perpetually unhappy because of an complicated relationship to understand why happiness is not at arm’s length. In fact, you can hardly see it if things continue to be the same.

Maybe I’m taking too many things into consideration, maybe I’m too forgiving, maybe I’m too patient, maybe I’m too reasonable and rational.

I “rescued” my birthday from being just an ordinary day. I don’t know about the rest of you, but as old as I am now, birthdays are important days because you’ll never see that day again. 20th February 2010 will come, go and never come back. And I’ll only be 23 once.

I wanna look back and have nice memories and smile at the moments I have shared with my loved ones.

It HAS to be cherished, seriously.

My family doesn’t celebrate birthdays very much that’s why I swear that my own family in future will take such events very seriously. I enjoy celebrations very much :) You work hard, you play harder, right? Now that’s life.

Thank you Mum and Dad (it’s just an sms but great you remembered), Jz, Ervin, Jonathan, Wei Ling, Huiying, Eric, Sylvia, Andi, Shu En and all my dearest friends who messaged/facebooked me your well wishes :))))

This song is for you’all. It’s a great song!

♥ ♥ ♥

Super Stars – Cry On My Shoulder

If the hero never comes to you

If you need someone you’re feeling blue

If you’re away from love and you’re alone

If you call your friends and nobody’s home

You can run away but you can’t hide

Through a storm and through a lonely night

Then I show you there’s a destiny

The best things in life

They’re free

Chorus:

But if you wanna cry

Cry on my shoulder

If you need someone who cares for you

If you’re feeling sad your heart gets colder

Yes I’ll show you what real love can do

If your sky is grey oh let me know

There’s a place in heaven where we’ll go

If heaven is a million years away

Oh just call me and I’ll make your day

When the nights are getting cold and blue

When the days are getting hard for you

I will always stay here by your side

I promise you I’ll never hide

Repeat chorus

What real love can do

What love can do

What real love can do

What love can do

What real love can do

Chinese New Year Events!

10 February 2010

@ Hard Rock Cafe with Eric and our friend Namrata from India :) Eric and our guest met at the Model UN event held at NTU the weekend before!

Love the ambience at Hard Rock Cafe! The band even sang for Namrata a song we dedicated to her –

David Cook’s Always Be My Baby

Gloriously good food! The set meal which includes a clam chowder soup, a main course of your choice, Haagen Dazs ice cream and coffee/tea only costs $20 nett! The quality is really good too – I could hardly finish my main course because the main course came in a rather large portion! Yums :) Love love love the decor at Hard Rock!

5 February 2010

Our first Chinese New Year steamboat dinner!

Brother Jonathan, Aloysius, Geanie, Eric and I!

12 February 2010

Met up with Jonathan and Geanie for shopping, movie and dinner! We watched Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief! It was awesome! Hearts Logan Lerman! He’s totally my version of cute and I can’t resist his dazzling crystal blue eyes!

My favourite peeps :)

And the yummy food we shared at Cafe Cartel!

And here’s my shopping for that day!

1. Colourful Striped Slippers for Nuffnang’s lunch time so that in case I have to run back to office I won’t have to charge through Farrer Park MRT station in my heels, and inevitably making my feet uglier with bruises!

2. Acrylic nails with glue from a shop at Far East Plaza (see previous post)  – took super long to choose those pretty pink floral nails!

3. Falsies and eyelash curler from Daiso (only $2 each!). Believe it or not I’ve never used an eyelash curler before except when I had this makeover at Bobbi Brown :)

4. My loot from Dorothy Perkins! It was having a sale so I grabbed a pretty chunky lime green necklace and a gorgeous black sunflower-shaped bracelet that Jon helped to choose for me! They were the most treasured pieces I had for the day because they were such beautiful accessories but I only paid $22 for both!

5. Surprise CNY gift from Jon! How sweet! :))))

The surprise gift turned out to be huge milk chocolate bars! One of them is even strawberry yoghurt flavoured, my favourite! :)))

13 February 2010

Chinese New Year Eve Lunch with Shu and shopping in town!

Had a upset tummy later that evening and nearly missed reunion dinner! Thank goodness I managed to recover in time and got better later that night after some rest and medicine!

14 February 2010 (CNY Day 1! + Valentine’s Day)

After doing some visiting in the day, Eric and I met up for a walk at River Hong Bao!

The crowds contributed to the festive mood and the lighting, decorations and exhibits made the place so lively and exciting!

Enjoying Haagen Dazs ice cream after that! :)))

Group Picture with Steph and her bf JS :)

Nautically Stylish.

Nautical themes go full blast as Spring fast approaches – and it’s looking even better on the guys.

ASOS

I totally dig this outfit! :)

Jean Charles de Castelbajac Spring 2010

Australian label Vanguard Spring 2010

Cavi’s Spring 2010

VANS Vault Spring 2010 Surf Shaka Pack – The Perfect Spring Flings

Stainless steel on blue rubber strap watch, IWC Aquatimer Chronograph, $5,300, iwc.com

I just chanced upon a great blogshop for you guys, check it out! They have trendy apparel, accessories, shoes and bags that you wouldn’t want to miss because of their affordable prices!

Various promotions in store for the month of February too!

Paul’s Clothing

Link also available at the side bar :)

Idol of the Day!

Logan Lerman from Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Love his stunning smile (that would light up this whole town) :)))

Festival Laughter.

Chinese New Year’s one of the most anticipated occasions of the year, and this roaring Tiger year is no exception :)

Just 3 mini bites for starters!

Met Steph and her boyfriend @ River Hongbao 2010 on Sunday night

This is the official logo this year, and this event even has a website, which is really cool!

Steph and I, the babe looks so hot in her baby pink cheongsam :)

Family portrait! See the row of kids in front (my cousins!) So cute right??? I guess we should all do this more often :)

***

And although this is so random, here are my fingers, before I applied the acrylic nails…so plain and short and ugly right?!

I was so excited about this that I even chose an auspicious day to do it – CNY Day 1 itself! Hahaha!

And notice that I was wearing falsies too???! My first time!

Honestly, I felt quite uncomfortable with both the false eyelashes and nails – I took out the nails soon after I put them on because I couldn’t stand the discomfort! Moreover, I couldn’t type on my keyboard and my clubbed thumbs looked weird with such long nails. Sigh, but they looked so pretty…

On a comforting note, like Shu said, Megan Fox has them too!

Clubbed thumbs, in case it wasn’t obvious enough, are slightly shorter thumbs (than the other fingers) with short, stubby nails. I used to call mine “alien thumbs”. I didn’t like them, but I guess I can live with them.

I wanted to get hair extensions, remember??? But my hair stylist Nick advised me against it because it will damage my hair at the ends and it’s really not worth the money and effort to go through all that trouble for 3 months of beautiful fake hair.

Oh well, fake = beautiful, ain’t it?

But sometimes I still prefer to be “natural” – that means no or little makeup, and definitely, no fake nails, hair or lashes.

Ahhhh…the beauty of comfort :)

Happy Chinese New Year to All!!! :)

&

Love and Warmest Wishes,

Melissa Jane