fashion craving :: zara autumn 2013 collection

Happy Wednesday everyone!


I am craving for these shoes from the Zara 2013 Autumn Collection while I eat my lunch away at my office desk.

I first fell in love with Zara shoes because of the clean silhouette in their designs. I simply adore shoes that are classy, stylish yet affordable, and Zara shoes best fits this.

I'm loving the muted colours of burnt tan to maroon red from this shoe collection, from their ballerina flats, stilletoes and boots.

Here are my top 5 picks:

I will probably come by Zara anytime soon now and give these babies a try! It's really hard trying to make me choose between these simply gorgeous 5 pairs! But sadly, I am just gonna go for just 1.

I try not to be too rash or impulsive buying shoes as I have limited shoe closet space. I like my shoes to be versatile as well - whether it's a casual or formal outfit, it can be worn either way.

Can't wait to come up with a pairing post of the chosen pair.

Guess which one will I chose in the end?

much love,

rich xxx

wearing now :: chasing prints & rain

When I woke up at 645 am today, I looked out at the window and saw that it was raining!

As any normal person (unless you're in a desert or experiencing drought), I don't typically embrace this kind of weather. Not especially so on a sleepy morning, only to realise the bed and your blanket seems so much more comfortable than any other day. *yawn*

I wasn't detered by the rain. 

I pushed the negativity and think it of it as a way I could dress up to the weather. Unfortunately, I get cold really easily so I have to wear more layers. I like to wear my thick opaque stockings to keep warm. The air-con temperature in my office can be really low.

                     

I love this mint printed dress which I bought close to 2 years back. I especially adore the tribal prints! The only problem I had with this dress was the fitting. It was slightly roomy on the sleeves and the torso area. I had been wanting to alter this dress; but I never got to.

Maybe one of these days now...

To bring out the hint of mint in this dress, I accessorized with the gold with mint details on my rings and bracelet. I wore black oxford shoes and black belt to contrast the soft feminine feel of this outfit with an edgier and tough detail.

Dress from tracyeinny.com.sg, ring from H&M,
 bracelet from Stradivarius & oxford shoes from New Look

Brrrr! Keep dry, everybody!

much love,

rich xxx 

wearing now :: in Maldives

My five days vacation in Maldives was truly a fantastic experience. For someone, who is not exactly a big fan of the beaches, I was won over hands down. The lush greenery and great tropical weather was almost too perfect (it didn't even rain once) - I was all clad in my summer outfits. 

I wore this red soft, sheer translucent kaftan dress as a quick cover up whenever I just got out of the waters in my bikini. I love the colour of this dress and that it was the practical solution in the beach. Its light material dried really quickly just nice to enjoy a cool Magnum ice cream after wading in the clear waters.

I will always bring this now whenever I hit the beaches.

The moment I knew that I was going Maldives, my head was already busy with ideas appropriate for beach wear. I was really loving bright, loose and tropical prints trend that summer season offered and immediately planned out what I will wear for the next couple of day. The only accessories I wore to the beach were my sunnies, my floral hair ponytail and my straw hat. I simply adore my straw hat to bits which was given by a lovely friend.

When it comes wearing outfits & styles, I turn to become an eager beaver. 

 

What is a summer outfit without the white summer dress? Though a shorter white summer dress would be ideal at the beach, the square-like patterned eyelets on this white dress gave it its uniqueness and really appreciate how comfortable and "breathable" it felt even on a hot sunny day. 

 

I am so grateful for this experience to be able to travel here and enjoy the real beauty and goodness the other part of the world had to offer. It was truly an eye-opener for a city girl like me. I had been to beaches in Singapore, but this one truly defines the ultimatum.

Thank you.

much love,

rich xxx

here & now :: the Maldives

If there was one word to describe Maldives island, it would be paradise.

My girlfriends and I (all 4 of us) have been waiting for this retreat holiday for months and finally being there was an amazing experience beyond words!

We have to make a transit via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KL) from Singapore and then it was a 4 hours flight to Male, the capital island of Maldives.

Our first stop off the plane was at the airport. Now, the airport, Male and our island resort were all three different islands all together and we all have to ride a ferry or speed boat to reach any of our destination.

It was a 5 minutes ferry ride from the airport and then we have to take a 15- 20 minutes speed boat ride to our resort island. The ferry ride was USD$ 1 per trip and boy, were we surprised how clear the waters were even it was in the busy city area or even the airport! You can practically jump to swim anywhere!

                       

When we arrived at our island resort, Thulhagiri, we were over the moon!

 The blue clear waters greeted us invitingly and the lush greenery were simply idealistic with the splendid sunny weather and cool breeze blowing against our faces. The water bungalows were picture perfect in the background each time we took a picture.

 We were already in love.

It was all fun, sun and play in our tiny island resort Thulhagiri. Maldives is the perfect getaway for lovers and couples on honeymoon as the island exudes a romantic setting with cosy huts for two, away from the hectic stresses of life and being able to just enjoy each other's accompany while basking in all the glory of these perfect tropical beaches.

As such, if you prefer sight seeing and shopping, this probably won't be the ideal place for you. 

  

 My girlfriends and I have a really great time lounging in the beach shores and took lots of photos. Two of them were divers and spent an afternoon diving with their German dive instructor. We also signed up for a water sports package which included catamaran sailing, banana boat ride, canoeing and fun boat. I almost died laughing out loud during the banana boat ride, suffered an aching arm muscle from canoeing and had a screaming good fun during fun boat. It was such a blast!

.

At our last day before departing from this heaven on earth, we went sightseeing around the streets of Male. The local people, the Maldivians, are of Indian descent and almost most of them are Muslims. They speak Dhivehi but are fluent with their English. Since tourism is their main source of income in their 2,000 islands homeland, they generally accept USD dollars practically everywhere.

We reached at plaza located near a mosque, which was approximately 15 - 20 minutes walk from the jetty. It is the plaza selling the wholesale souvenirs up on the second floor. Since they do wholesale, they were selling to resort islands and the airport souvenirs shops, and thus they were selling relatively cheaper comparatively.Souvenirs that are found here are magnets, keychains, T-shirts, wooden crafts, shells, shark tooth and much more.

Be mindful of touts loitering around the plaza or that approaches you as they will bug you to follow them to their shops to buy souvenirs. Since the souvenir shops are just next to each other, you don't want to get souvenirs then and ending up going to the next shop, realizing you could have saved a few dollars over there. Prices are not fixed here so your bargaining skills will come right in handy here when asking for the best price.

Just some tips to share ::

1) Consistently apply sunblock and lip balm with sun protection. I cannot stress enough on this.

2) Stock up on Vitamin C before any holidays. Being sick during a vacation can be the most horrendous thing that can happen.

3) Bring your own water as much as possible as you're always dehydrated under the sun. Bringing your own  water can  also save you money. Buying a bottle in the resort island can be hefty, costing you USD $5 inclusive government and service tax for every bottle.

4) Don't bring liquor in. Liquor and among other things (stated in their law) are prohibited in this Muslim country.

5) Wear comfy shoes for the beach and for walking around. Comfort is primary to enjoying a good sight seeing.

And as if on cue, all good things must come to an end, we have to end our 5 days of paradaisic vacation and head back home.

See you again, Maldives.

much love,

rich xxx