Thursday, October 20, 2016

Fashion Styling Workshop & Shopping at Westgate!

If you stay in the West, you definitely already frequent Westgate, located right at the doorstep of Jurong East MRT station and Jurong East Bus Interchange!

[ Fashion Styling Workshop at Westgate ]

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a fashion styling workshop conducted at Westgate by Steve Thio, editor from Her World Singapore!

It was a really fun session where Steve shared upcoming trends for Fall/Winter 2016 and how to incorporate style in a functional and wearable manner with key statement pieces, as well as playing around with layers and textures!

The audience listening attentively to Steve as he shared his opinions and tips, I can't help but to agree that us - Singaporean ladies can definitely up our fashion game a notch by putting in more effort into looking presentable!

Moving on, Steve showed us how one single key item can be styled in so many various ways to create different looks and styles for different occasions!

For instance, a classic printed jumpsuit is jazzed up with a pink silk bomber jacket. I love the play of textures here!

A jumpsuit can be paired with a basic classic white shirt for a clean and tailored look. This gives a completely different feel and turns the jumpsuit into a pair of printed pants instead!

I thought this pairing of clashing patterns was interesting and bold. It really ups the style factor and yet goes together surprisingly well!

The same silk bomber jacket can be worn over a pair of khaki-colored culottes and a textured silver tank top for another look that is chic and yet not over the top.

I like how the outfit changes completely with just another outer layer, this time a printed long cardigan, and a vintage-looking camel bag!

It was really interesting to see how Steve transformed a dress into yet another outfit by just adding on a top over it!

Some other trends that are coming in this Fall/Winter are embellishments, like those seen on this denim shirt here.

I'm loving the Fall/Winter trends! Here's Steve offering personal tips and advice to the workshop attendees who were all very keen on improving their wardrobe ;)

What to watch out for this Fall/Winter season: Earthy tones and colors, prints, as well as playing around with varying textures and fabrics!

It was a very interesting and fun session with Steve!

All you Westies are so fortunate now that Westgate is around! I remember how limited shopping choices were in the West, just a few years ago when I was still working in the West! With over 250 stores and several high street fashion brands at Westgate, you'll never be lacking in choices when it comes to fashion.

After a day of shopping, I picked out some outfits myself from Westgate and I'm excited to share some super nice items that caught my eye!

[ Look #1: Girls' Day Out! ]

Pink silk bomber jacket: The Editor's Market

Black trumpet dress: The Editor's Market

Graphic printed handbag: Bonia

Pink strappy heels: ALDO

Shades & necklace: ALDO

For a casual girls' day out, I love something simple but feminine. This combination of a cute trumpet dress glammed up with a pink silk bomber jacket from The Editor's Market is the perfect outfit!

For a dressier look, I paired the apparel with a pair of pink strappy heels from ALDO that helps to accentuate my legs too! :D

I love the suede fabric!

A quirky and vibrant hand bag from Bonia completes the entire look and adds a splash of color to the outfit!

Loving the accessories from ALDO as well, this pair of rose gold shades and set of layered necklaces are perfect!

For this look, keep your makeup polished but natural, go with a nude lip color and you'll look fabulous!

[ Look #2: 90's Inspired Outfit! ]

Printed babydoll dress: Desigual

White sneakers: ALDO

Bohemian bangles: ALDO

Clutch: Bonia

When I think of the 90s, I think of my childhood days as well as bold prints and bohemian styles!

Thus, I put together an outfit that's playful and cute with a touch of bohemian. Using this adorable printed babydoll dress from Desigual, I turned it into a pinafore style with a basic white top, matching it with white sneakers for that school girl look! Pinafores are still a very hot trend this season and it's easy to get creative with dresses by layering them and turning a dress into a pinafore!

These sneakers from ALDO are not just stylish but are also ultra-comfortable, I love those classy gold accents!

A vintage-inspired clutch complements the fun outfit perfectly.

To pull off the 90s look even further, consider a pop of red lipstick and perhaps do up some braids in your hair to really bring out the bohemian vibes!

[ Look #3: Off To The Office ]

Burnt umber knit top: The Editor's Market

Khaki culottes: The Editor's Market

White long vest: The Editor's Market

Eyelet bowler bag: Desigual

Accessories: ALDO

I don't believe in boring corporate dressing. Even if you're going to the office, you can look stylish and chic, still!

For a office-appropriate look, I put together this outfit with a knit top, culottes and a long tailored vest from The Editor's Market. I really love the muted earthy tones for this look! Not too loud for office and yet it manages to look sleek and well put-together.

Rings are a great way to accessorise any outfit. These gem and rock-studded rings are from ALDO!

A functional and roomy bowler bag from Desigual fits all my work essentials. The eyelet details are understated but enhances the otherwise plain outfit.

Completing the earthy colors with a pair of camel pumps from ALDO! Instead of always wearing black heels, other colors like camel, nude or grey are also neutral and easy-to-wear!

Of course, office make-up should be professional with no loud colors on your eyes or lips, with a sleek and simple hairstyle!

Hope you like these three outfits I put together as much as I do, you know exactly where to get them!

Of course, apart from the stores I mentioned above, there are so so many fashion stores and more available at Westgate that I'm sure that you're gonna be spoilt for choice like I was! Next time I'm in the West, you know where I'll be for my fashion retail therapy -- Westgate!

xoxo

Fiji Day #4: Yatule Resort & Sofitel Resort

I fondly remember Day 4 of Fiji as.. The day that we had really good weather for the first time! I still recall napping on the coach ride after we checked out of The Pearl South Resort.. And waking up to this breath-taking view!

We were actually supposed to have some activities planned for the morning but some of the girls weren't feeling so well and our morning activities were cancelled instead. It started with Xinlin who wasn't feeling well already even before the flight and then passed on to Mabel, Joyce and subsequently Jess and Evonne aiyo!! So we took Day 4 slow, which was sorta nice as well, sometimes you just wanna relax and chill too.

Apart from activities like white-water rafting and village visiting, there's a whole lot more (or less!) that you can do while in Fiji. Taking some time to savour Fiji's idyllic laid-back lifestyle by the sea-side is a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.

After two days of gloomy weather, the sight of brilliant blue skies never looked more welcoming. Yay!

For lunch, we headed to Yatule Resort and Spa, which is situated right on the famous Natadola Beach and is a 2-minute drive from the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course. The weather was just so good that day. Once we alighted from our coach, we made haste to the beach front and were greeted by the incredibly azure blue sea.

How many shades of blue do you see?

Shirt from TheVelvetDolls // Denim shorts from Cotton On // Gladiator sandals from Charles & Keith

Nothing like a coconut to refresh and rejuvenate the soul. I love me my coconuts!

Our lunch at Yatule Resort was sublime, one of our better meals in Fiji definitely. I tried Kokoda (Fijian ceviche or raw fish salad) for the first time! It's tangy and coconutty, with a very unique and distinct flavour to it.

Evonne and I enjoying our fresh coconuts!

Fijians can really sing! We were serenaded all the time with cheerful and rousing folk music accompanied by the guitar and ukulele.

The lush green surroundings of Yatule Resort. It was so relaxing to simply sit under the canopy and enjoy the therapeutic soundtrack of the waves rushing on to the shore.

An utterly enjoyable afternoon at Yatule Resort. Everything looks picture-perfect when the skies are so insanely blue!

We moved on to our next accommodation at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa after lunch!

Set on Nadi Bay, Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa is 7 km from the Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu temple and 11 km from Nadi International Airport. I was really looking forward to experiencing Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa because I had a very good stay at Sofitel So in Bangkok previously, and I wasn't disappointed!

What the resort looks like from the main lobby. Such cheery summer vibes with the numerous palm trees and deck chairs all around the pool side!

Parents would be happy to know that Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa is also very kid-friendly with kid facilities meant and family suites with additional bunk beds for the young ones!

Our stylish and airy room came with a patio leading right out to the beach front. Gotta love the easy access!

Bathroom/washing up area!

The evening was spent at Waitui Beach Club, which is adults-only and even has a swim up bar!

We had the chill-est evening just relaxing and soaking in the pool with a drink at hand. The sunset was amaaaaaazing and I love how the fairy lights came on and twinkled as it turned dark around us. Such snazzy vibes!

Dinner was at Lagoon Restaurant, which was very enjoyable with a great variation of different cuisines and foods.

This is the taco station, where a chef made tacos fresh on-the-spot!

Glad to have had such a restful day to unwind and recharge from the past couple of hectic days!

If you're all raring to hop on the next flight out to Fiji, direct flights from Singapore to Fiji via Fiji Airways are now available twice a week!