SHIRT AND PLEATS

Somehow weddings are one of the trickiest occassion for me in dressing up. Maybe you're wondering why.

Well it's because most of my dresses and wedding suitable clothings are in black, and it is a colour that is still considered rather inappropriate for joyous occasions such as Chinese Lunar New Year and weddings in Chinese culture to the elders. For the past several weddings I've attended in the last few years, I'd usually heck it and wear it. But I now try to refrain from black for such occasion as much as I can for respect purposes, and opt for other muted tones such as this simple outfit for my cousin's solemnisation – sans black, humid weather friendly and comfort all together.

On this note, I wish I could do more justice to this pleated pants through photos. It belongs to my mom which I conveniently stole, no I mean borrow from her wardrobe. This pants makes me want to sleep or dance around in it. A surprising new silhouette on myself, since I've never really worn a flare type of bottoms before. I think I might frequent this pants more often now.

–
Mango shirt, pleated pants from Bangkok, Fleuraw blocked heels, Katie Judith bag

GOING ON 21

In the past 2 years, I learnt that age is just a number, and we should not solely be defined by our age. The world, the society marks adulthood to someone who turns 21. Instantly, you become a grown up, you get certain "life accesses", the key to freedom what not. I've seen many who are above 21 y/o treating life or making decisions and choosing to do certain things in a rather immature, and sometimes reckless manner. I guess we all learn someday, so isn't age a subjective indicator of who we are?

As I'm turning 21 this October, I get asked a lot on whether I will be throwing a birthday party. And answer is – yes, I will be! BUT by celebration, I do not mean throwing an extravagant, overtly decorated, almost like a wedding kind of birthday bash filled with people to celebrate my 'freedom' or 'coming of age'. I want a birthday 'party' with less limelight on myself, but focus on building closer bonds within my family.

Birthday isn't just about me, but about those who grew up with me, going through thick and thin and shaping me to who I am today. And most importantly, it is about God. The King of King chose to create me!

Birthday is about thanksgiving. I thank God for creating me, for making me his child, for blessing me with my parents. I thank my parents for all they've given me unconditionally. Sure, I've had many times I find myself unhappy with them, there were also countless times I've upset them. All in all, I love them and honour them.

So how am I celebrating mine? Honestly, I want it simple – have a meal in an intimate setting with my parents and sister, with my grandma, with N. No big, crowded, pocket burning parties. Just last month, I had a short "staycation" at my beloved Ah Ma's (my paternal grandma) place and she expressed that she would like me to have a 21st birthday celebration gathering all my relatives. I hesitated initially, not because I didn't want to meet up with my relatives but my paternal family is considerably large, which amounts up to almost 30 pax and I've always wanted to have it small and simple. After much thought, I was reminded that if family gatherings make Ah Ma happy, her interest would be mine. I've decided that it would somewhat be a simple celebration (albeit not as small scaled as I hope it would be) with my paternal family – just food, a birthday cake and one family.

Not just a 21st birthday resolution, but a lifelong practice on what I hope to improve:
Be more contented. Cook better. Become more loving. Less bitter. Live simpler. Be thankful.

Everyday is a gift.

DAILY SUMMER TIME

While people in many parts of the world are sunbathing in their seasonal dose of summer, here in Singapore fellow Singaporeans would understand this pain when it comes to dressing up and being out. You know, that immense 24/7 humid summer weather all year long. Even walking along Yong Siak Street in this heat to get lunch was unbearable (for someone like me with an extremely low tolerance of heat) – but fair enough, the good food at Tiong Bahru Market made up for it. I'm quite certain I'll find myself in this blouse (and another in grey) very, very often. There are indeed countless ways to wear basics! I anticipate every end of the year when the weather gets slightly cooler until.....the wind disappears again, and the rants repeat.

–
Ezra top, Topshop jeans, H&M flats, Ray Ban shades

THAT TERRARIUM

I have mentioned this some time before that I do not have green fingers. About 2 months ago I got this terrarium planted in a honey jar – which saw my first foray into gardening. Well, at a smaller scale. These tini plants makes a great reminder to appreciate and be grateful for all the small little things about life. I'd prefer mini terrariums to flowers – takes up lesser space, easier to maintain, grows slower but lives longer.

@thatterrarium

IPHONE NECK POUCH

What inspired me to make this neck pouch was simple: I want to protect my iPhone. Most of my clothes except jeans and shorts do not have a pocket to slot the phone, so my iPhone (that is on silent mode all the time) would be left to mingle with other things in my huge bag – resulting in missed calls and worst, scratches. I've been changing the screen protector a lot, and it is so 1. troublesome and 2. waste money (I'm economical like that). I never fancied those hard flip phone cover and like any other devices, its screen gets prone to scratches.

So I thought of making my own neck pouch which could help keep my phone in sight, instead of it buried in my bag. I used a small piece of leather that I got in Hong Kong a few months back and a sturdy string (you can otherwise use a necklace chain). The making of this is rather self-explanatory and does not take too much time (probably 20 mins?) or effort. Measure, cut, sew, flip, cut, tie, done!

Simple and fuss free, I like! (insert thumbs up emoji)