alldressedup: Triple Pouch

A friend of mine alerted me to alldressedup’s latest It accessory: its triple pouch. I’m a sucker for good quality accessories, especially these coin and lipstick pouches. I travel a lot for work and zipped pouches like these help to keep me organized.

I’m currently in Hong Kong right now and I like to utilise these random pouches to keep items categorised. Credit cards in one pouch, Singapore currency in one pouch, Hong Kong currency in another pouch. Lip balm, hand cream and lipstick in my make-up pouch… the list goes on.

The problem with keeping things in different pouches is the DIGGING. When I’m in a cab in Bangkok (just think of the crazy traffic!), I have to dig through my stuff for the Thai currency  pouch. When I’m ordering desserts at a takeaway counter in Hong Kong, I have to find Hong Kong coins stashed in another pouch.

It sounds distracting but this happens!

Enter the triple pouch from alldressedup: The coin pouches click together via buttons and your searching is decreased. No more ‘WTF! WHERE IS MY COIN POUCH MAN!’ moments and your stuff still gets organized!

The best part, for me, is the quality of the leather: The pouch is soft and extremely easy on the hands in terms of touch. My previous coin pouches weren’t ‘themed’, I have a Louis Vuitton monogrammed coin pouch, a Hello Kitty coin pouch from my shop, a Japanese print coin pouch (a gift from a friend)… while they are cute individually, they do not necessarily work together.

The triple pouch comes in various colors and you can customize them to your own taste. The one pictured in the .gif image above will totally work for my friend Janice, who loves earthy colors, but I’m really a blue and pink girl. The best thing is that the concept allows you to choose the colors that suits yourself best.

It’s retailing at S$89, colors are limited so head down to the stores if you’re interested. I’ll post up some Hong Kong trip photos on my personal site, click click if you’re interested.

Stephie! x.

Dolce & Gabbana Boutique Launch Party

Last Friday, I went for the Dolce and Gabbana boutique launch party after my organisation’s D&D. Yes, a very packed night indeed! I’d been having some problems uploading my photos these days, which explains the time lapse in posts.

I took some time to find the party, which is quite silly of me because there was a huge makeshift reception area with a backdrop emblazoned with the words ‘Dolce & Gabbana’. I don’t know how I still managed to miss it…

I was there alone and was feeling kind of self-conscious in the very party-ready crowd. Thank god I found the other blogging kids Always nice to see familiar faces!

The party was in full swing, the music was really good (MJ and BEPs!) and the champagne just doesn’t stop flowing! I was standing around, holding a half empty glass in my hand and someone is always coming up to me to refill it. I gave them a torn, omg-I-really-should-stop-guzzling-champagne look, but at the end of that split second struggle, I always give in and allow them to pour more of the delicious, golden bubbly for me.

Also, I have a soft spot for disco balls. So shiny and happy!

Celebs were milling around, but I only managed to catch Zoe Tay in this gorgeous, red leopard print dress. Seriously, she is looking very fine for her age. And how many people can carry of that hair?!

There’s always new faces to meet and that night, I bumped into Becks (cool name right?) of Camerafilmroll. She told me she’s a fan of Fashion Nation, which makes me feel somewhat awkward but very pleased! She took a lovely photo of us too

We took a tour of the boutique, which spans 2 floors.

This chandelier looks like it belongs in the Adams Family mansion.

And there’s always the dresses of course

After that, we went back to the dance floor to bop around for a bit. The most amusing part will have to be when a dashing young man bouncing along beside us started doing the iconic MJ crotch jerks perfectly. Then the song ended and he looked really disappointed *laugh*

I’d been wanting to try out a fully sequined vest for some time now and a glitzy party seems like the perfect occasion to do so. This one from Wayne Cooper has a really nice back, but unfortnately I forgot to take a back view! Recently, I also started having a thing for hats, which explains the BCBGMAXAZRIA fedora. It sits very snugly on my head + makes me appear taller, so I’m really happy with it. [Vest and fedora courtesy of Tangs. Thanks Cheryl!]

Awesome party night!
Dottie

Tweets of the night:

• Going to Dolce and Gabbana event now.
• Great! Champagne and they’re playing lots of MJ. Billie Jean!!! Love.
• They even played Dirty Diana. This ang moh dude was doing the crotch jerks perfectly lol
• There’s a reason they serve champagne at fashion events. It has a really Atas fascade, but it just makes you dance really quickly.
• Leaving D&G party. They were playing Eye of the Tiger. Favourite song on Guitar Hero.

P.S. I was a cat earlier in the night…

Quick Question!

Thinking of giving away this jacket (it’s going to be stocked on the shop for SGD49.90) for the second Stephie’s Shop Lottery giveaway.

But I just thought to check if you girls are interested in it in the first place (:

Leave comments please! In the meantime I am rushing off to run errands in the city. Can’t wait to read your views!

- Stephie, x.

New Releases: Stephie’s Shop

New items up on Stephie’s Shop: all items are brand new, homeless, up for adoption and waiting for you.

If you’re keen on joining the mailing list for my shop, leave a comment in the comments section of this post with an accurate email in the ‘email’ field and tell me if you like the above items. If you have any items you’re looking for, please feel free to tell me too. I’ll add you up to the mailing list, easy peasy (:

Happy Monday!

Guest-Lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic

On Wednesday, I was invited to be guest lecturer at Singapore Poly, School of Media & Communications to the graduating batch of students in their last semester.

I basically shared my experiences in new media and how I choose to use it.

This is my second talk this month, the first being a speaker at a travel talk on my experiences in Japan.

Stephie Says

‘If all goes well, I should be writing live to you next week from Hong Kong. Hang in there, hope you’ve got your Halloween costumes ready (:’

‘星期三，被新加坡理工學院邀请，当了一天的老师！幸好学生没睡着！’

Tech Bloggers + Paper-Clipped Tee

As part of our bloggers exchange program, DK got me to tag along for the HTC Tattoo launch event with the other tech bloggers. It was held at Butter Factory, and considering how I have not been there yet (yes, quite unhip), its a real draw

A few days ago, I heard that there’s going to be flash mobs in Singapore. There was one at Raffles Place, which I had somehow missed. Apparantly, they’re part of HTC’s campaign.

They did it again during the launch party. Just a thought: is it still considered a flash mob if it is a planned performance and its indoors? I’m not sure.

And I got a airbrush tattoo! Of Hello Kitty. I have to say that I’m seriously contemplating getting a real tattoo of this.

I didn’t want to go to the party in my work clothes and coincidentally, I had a pair of jeans and an over-sized t-shirt with me in the office. I meant to wear them after a yoga session that I didn’t attend in the end.

I didn’t want to look like I’m drowning in the tee, so I knotted it around my waist. Yes, maybe the ’80s is really back! Anyway, I wanted to secure the knot and started paper-clipping it, just for fun. It turned out quite nice in a strange way, so I just left it like that

Close up:

I had to roll up the too-long sleeves too and I pinned them in place with these bigger paper clips.

I’m also wearing those hearts jellies I got over the weekends

I really like the tote bags they gave out as door gifts. You can’t really go wrong with Shakespearean quotes And it folds up into a neat little pouch. I can never get enough of this expandable carriers. So useful!

The tech bloggers are really fun people; had so much laughs! We should do this again, and soon!

xoxo,
Dottie

Tweet: Ok I’d just paper clipped my t-shirt for fun lol but it turned out looking quite nice in a strange way.

Tweet: The tech bloggers are hilarious. They’re talking about polyphonic phones, antennas and SNAKE!!! Do you remember snake?

Bras Basah: The City of Books

 

Stephie Says:

My column for INSING.com this week is on my favourite stores in Bras Basah. I tell the tale of a quaint cafe named after a cat, which lives in China and doesn’t respond to his own name.

Take a breather this Thursday afternoon: from work, from calls, from the mundane typing of emails and read about the building that you may have almost forgotten about.

Going Higher!

I need to get a pair of over the knees boots to complete my look for the upcoming Dinner & Dance, so I’ll be in town later, hunting them down.

When I thought about boots, those perforated thigh-high ones from Stella McCartney immediately flashed across my mind. I wonder if they come in different sizes not just at the feet, but around the calves and thighs as well…

Another reasonable concern: If I wear them, will they come up to my waist or perhaps, my shoulders?!

Oh god, look how long they are! But still very, very gorgeous – if you have the legs that can actually fit into them.

A little public service announcement (non-boots related) before I go; Borders has released a coupon which takes 30% off up to 3 books. Naturally I’ll be going down to stock up.

Gone boots hunting,
Dottie

Tweet: I need to buy a pair of above-knees boots. I’m going as Puss in Boots for my org’s fairy-tales-themed D&D.

Tea with Lady Melbourne

This was me yesterday: I bumped into Lady Melbourne during the Nuffnang Awards, we got to talking about shopping in Singapore. I know how frustrating it is to try to find the ‘indie’ places in any city, so after a meeting with my editor, I popped by Haji Lane to meet her and her friend Amelia for tea.

It was basically too warm to wear anything covered so I threw on these leather sandals. The last time I had a pair of these was ten years ago, but I singlehandedly decided that it’s time they revived themselves in my shoe collection.

I’ve also recently bought a Diana Mini, the last time I had a serious urge to buy a Lomography camera was maybe eight years ago, but I never did on my student’s allowance… so this time, I just decided to go on a whim and purchase one.

I was also wearing my favourite necklace, a gold bow necklace with tiny pearls around it. It’s awesome but I’m too bothered by the warm weather to go get a close-up shot of it.

(:

Stephie Says:

‘Hope you had a happy start to the week, then!’

‘星期一：和澳洲的朋友喝下午茶。。。‘

New Items Up on Stephie’s Shop

These Venetian masks could be your solution to your Halloween costume woes. Put on a mask and a little sultry dress and you’ll be good to go this Saturday for the parties (: Here’s how to purchase!

I’ve put up these adorable toys this week on Stephie’s Shop. I love that the store is gaining more character with funny little items I’ve found from the travelling I’ve been doing for work, these items are in very limited quantity so do write me [stephietansays@gmail.com] to adopt these toys. They march when you wind them up with a funny little key, just like the old days. Who cares about battery-operated toys anyway!

I’ve put up Youtube videos on my store… so ‘click click‘ (cue irritating smiley face like the TV ads!) to get to the videos!

The Nuffnang Awards Dinner Part II

I realised that I took pitifully few photos during the Nuffnang Awards Dinner. Mostly, I took pictures with people I already know – not much of a networker

Still, always nice to see familiar faces!

With Jayden, looking very charming as usual This is the second of the two outfits he’d prepared for the event. Every time I see him, I’m a little more awed by his gravity-defying hair! And I can’t tire of his bow ties even if I want to (which I don’t).

I started panicking on the train about how I’m not in a cocktail dress (as specified on the invite). Then when I arrived, I realised that everyone (okay, as Stephie said, 85%) was in something black. As you can tell, I’m not a very good with dress codes. I had another option – a black dress with these really loud shoulders – but I opted against it because I didn’t want to spend the whole night making sure that they are ’standing’ properly.

DK, my plus one for the night He went into the ballroom and he seemed to know absolutely everyone. I really must get up to speed with my fellow bloggers…

Everyone swamped out to chit-chat during break time. See, there was really a lot of black, not bluffing!

Then Electrico sort of wrapped things up before they announced the big awards (i.e. best blog, most influential blog etc.).

All in all, fun night out!

And I especially love the candies they gave away as door gifts,
Dottie

Tweet: Oh. And also, i’m not wearing a cocktail dress as instructed on the invite. What if cannot get in? Worried. #nnawards

The Nuffnang Awards Dinner (:

What we wore to the Nuffnang Blog Awards! The fashion blog category was won by the lovely Phoebe behind Lady Melbourne. She is awesomely fun and we congratulate her for getting the award! (:

My only two takes from the awards show:

There were a lot of Marge Simpson hair at the awards show, very very elegant but really not me!

Another point to note is that if the invite says ‘cocktail dresses’ as the dresscode, to avoid black dresses like the plague (: There were 85% full black dresses that day, elegant as they all are, I was really bored.

Stephie Says:

‘Marge Simpson hair + black dress = Very Boring ):’

‘上星期五，我出席了颁奖典礼。 决定不穿黑色小礼服。。。到现在还是觉得是对的选择。‘

Perfect Converse

It is always bad news for my wallet when I drop by Rockstar at Cineleisure. I had the best intentions – a little window shopping to see what’s new in the store and maybe say hi to Sharon.

But then I found these perfect, slim-cut Converse sneakers.

I know you’ll understand why I have to have them! They have thinner soles and are narrower than the classic ones, which makes them a lot more flattering for the ladies

Recently I’d been OD-ing on the shopping. I really should show some restraint, but there’s nothing like a little shoes therapy to perk me up.

I’m wearing them to the Green Day concert in January 2010. Cannot wait! Who else is going too?

xoxo,
Dottie

The Museums Throw A ‘Toys’ Halloween Party!

I’ve round up the toys in my house as I’m needing some advice from them. Some toys are mine and some will be put up on my shop for sale (Join the mailing list if you’re keen on any of the above toys).

They’ve kindly obliged to put their (tin, wooden, ceramic…) heads together to discuss about my plight.

The thing is, National Heritage Board has approached me to spread the news about their Halloween Party, which is based on a super fun theme, on ‘Toys’. It’s going to be on Halloween itself and they’ve kindly allowed Fashion Nation to distribute 20 pairs of invites (that’s 40 people!) to our readers.

So I’ll need to know what to wear, right? The toys are convening in my wooden display crate to choose my outfit for me (:

What about you? What are you doing this Halloween?

If you’re feeling like me and not wanting to brave the crazy long queues of Zouk (last year we queued for 2 hours), why not turn up for the TOYS party instead? (: Come dressed as  characters from comics, cartoons, superheroes, super villains, cosplay… be experimental!

There’ll be tarot reading, which I cannot wait to queue for! Caricature drawing is also available, think of it, being caricatured into Tinkerbell, for example! There’ll also be a tour of the Toys museum, which I’ve always wanted to visit but never found the time for.

Every year, my friends have the fullest intention to hold a Halloween party but we are too busy with work to organize a venue, food, activities…we end up dishing out instructions at the lastest minute (like the day before!). This year, I’m older and wiser, so I offer my friends & all Fashion Nation readers party invites to a smashing Halloween party.

It’s easy, just leave a comment and you’ll get a pair of tickets. On the day itself, just turn up for the Museum of Toys’ Halloween Party!

If you have a group of friends, it’s also simple: if say you have 10 friends who are keen, just leave us a comment with 5 email addresses and we’ll reserve 10 tickets for you.

Here are the details:

Date: 31st October 2009, Saturday
Time: 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue: MINT Museum of Toys
Address: 26 Seah Street (next to Raffles Hotel, here’s a map)
What’s available: Tarot card readings, caricature drawings, tour of the Toys museum!

HOW TO BE INVITED

Leave a comment in this post’s comment section and we will email you back with the invites & details! The first 5 pairs of invites get a free Museum poster per invite (:

Stephie says:

‘I proudly present you: The Toy Museum’s Halloween Party, which I have full intention of hijacking for Fashion Nation readers to have a night of pure fun!’

‘新加坡有个玩具博物馆，这个万圣节，我们的读者（你！）有机会参加玩具博物馆的万圣节派对！穿着与玩具有关的造型，十月三十一号，七点到十点，在26 Seah Street。请在留言榜写出你的电邮地址，就能索取两张票！’

alldressedup Sale

Stephie Says:

‘Our favourite local brand, alldressedup, is having their sample sale today, 22 October, at Ubi from 12-7PM. The exact address is Blk 50 Ubi Crescent, Ubi Tech Park, #01-03.

One thing to note is that sales are cash only so please remember to bring your wads of cash. Bring your whole bank account!

Carpool & drive there during lunch because I hear there are crazy, crazy items to grab.

Enjoy!’

‘新加坡顶尖时尚品牌alldressedup会在今天举行拍卖活动！午后十二点到七点，Blk 50 Ubi Crescent, Ubi Tech Park, #01-03.只限现金付款。‘

Sketchbook Magazine

There’s a new magazine on the block. And Sketchbook Magazine is nice enough to us bloggers to dedicate their 2-parts 1st issue to us

Better yet, Susie Bubble, ‘arguably the reigning queen of the fashion blogosphere’, is the cover girl, in full sketchy glory! Every time I see Susie, I get bangs envy. I don’t know how she manages to keep them looking at their optimal all the time!

You can get a preview of the magazine over here. There are a lot of gorgeous drawings and spreads – I particularly like the one featuring an older lady drenched in pearls.

I keep feeling like I should be forking out money for this because it looks like one of those collectible issues that I will be glad to have a few years down the road. Today I was tweeting about things I cannot stop buying; I think I forgot to include magazines!

Tweet: Things I cannot stop buying: shoes, lipstick, bow hairbands (although I don’t wear them that much).

Good midweek to you!
Dottie

Inspiration on a Work Day

(Photo: by michaelback on Lomography.com)

The week has started off on a frantic pace. I’d been dashing around the last couple of days, only falling asleep at 3 am. I hope to clear my backlog soon so I can get a decent rest. After all, the year is winding down and I feel like I should too.

Nothing quite perks me up on a dreary work day like looking at pretty pictures. There is something very therapeutic about mindlessly scrolling through gorgeous photography. This is a good place to start. And of course, there’s always Flickr.

For some time now, I’d been getting increasingly fixated with the idea of acquiring a Lomo LC-A (Lomo Kompakt Automat). It was this set of photos that got me started. The above photo, also taken with the Lomo LC-A, just serves to convince me further that I should get it.

So, maybe I should Also, fashion posts are upcoming – thank you for your patience!

Suitably inspired,
Dottie

P.S. Dear Anne (all the way in Japan) pointed out that the link to Story of a Dot in my previous post is not working. Its now fixed. Thank you Anne!

Note: When I wrote this post, Flickr is down. So if you can’t view the pictures right now, you may want to check back again!

Stephie’s Work on The World of Hermès

The World of Hermès, Autumn / Winter 2009

Stephie Says:

‘My work has been selected to be published on The World of Hermès, the global publication of Hermès that is distributed worldwide to Hermès customers and working partners.

I’ve previously written about The World of Hermès here. This is another milestone for me in my freelance career, I’ve never expected to be published in a magazine that is so highly circulated within 6 months of stepping out on my own, let alone in a publication owned by one of the most established luxury houses in the world.’

‘我的作品刚登在愛馬仕的国际周刊里！在这么有名的周刊里看到自己的名字，实在很兴奋！六个月前，决定踏上多媒体自由作家与博客的生涯。时间不长，但学了很多。。。希望前面的旅程还有更多美好的惊喜！’

Manicure Art

Everytime I’m in Bangkok, I have a list of ‘must-do’s. Eat at Chinatown, go to Greyhound Cafe as often as possible and lastly, get a manicure.

Here’s what I did this time round, navy blue nails with bows and vine details.

My travel-mate’s nail art.

Initially, we were both shocked that a soft purple and gold can work together so beautifully, but I thought it will give a 3-D effect to her nails to better show the white nail art, so while we were getting our manicure done, I assured her the effects will be beautiful.

It’s also been proven that once the nail art is done, you and your manicure-buddy will stare at each other’s nails and wish you ordered the other’s design instead.

Anyhow, I’m really happy with my nails despite having temporary nail envy. Our manicurists were awesome. Mine was done by a guy (YES A GUY.) and hers was done by a sullen-faced girl who was on the phone half of the time. We agreed that the girl shouldn’t be working there, she isn’t even challenged by her work when it’s already so complex! I’ll give her a PhD in nail art if I could.

Stephie Says

‘If you’re feeling blue, go get yourself a manicure!’

‘我最近的指甲彩装！’

Rolex x Fragment Design

Stephie Says:

‘For those in the know.’

‘你知道吗？’