L'amour Victorienne

Deep Dark Red

2012-02-29T21:24:00.001Z

Red is a daring colour that evokes power, dominance, passion, and even sex appeal.

A woman who wears red usually appears more bold and attractive, as it's a colour that's mostly worn by extroverts. The colour red is also known to influence a woman's behaviour by giving them a boost of confidence.

In the above photo, I painted my nails a very deep dark red. When choosing red colours, I tend to go for the darker shades which are slightly purplish or brownish.

Deep reds such as burgundy, maroon, carmine, rosewood and wine, are by far my favourite shades of red.

I also love dark red lips. The darker the better.

Dita Von Teese looks classy in this scarlet red lippie.

Wine coloured lipstick spotted on this CHANEL model. This purplish cherry red lipstick is a very 'vampy' shade, and I find it totally gorgeous!

What are your thoughts on shades of red?

Lana Del Rey in Vogue British March 2012

2012-02-28T03:02:00.003Z

Clad in a Louis Vuitton broderie anglaise blouse and a tepid cola,

Lana Del Rey on the cover of British Vogue Magazine March 2012 issue.

Self proclaimed "Gangsta Nancy Sinatra"

Pastel hues glam up with some shiny glittery accessories..

Lovin all the colours...

Rouge in Love

2012-02-25T18:03:00.001Z

While Michelle Phan was promoting Lancôme's new 'Rouge in Love' lipstick collection through her short film last week, did anyone else notice Emma Watson's role as the face of this collection? In fact, she collaborated with Lancôme to develop this range of lustrous lipsticks.

"Oh I've always loved make-up, it's transformative."

This collection includes 24 lip colours and in addition, they created 22 matching 'Vernis in Love' nail lacquers as well!

In the UK, each lipstick is priced at £21.00 and each nail varnish at £12.00. They can be purchased from Lancôme's website or the Selfridges' website (available nationwide later this year). The weird thing about Lancôme is that the range of lipsticks sold here in the UK varies slightly from the ones sold in the U.S.

For instance, in this photo, Lea Michele wears Lancôme Rouge in Love in the colour, Roses In Love.

You can't actually find the shade 'Roses in Love' in Lancôme's UK website, though it's available in the U.S website. There is a shade called Rose Pitimini in the UK website with the same code, 353M, and colour as Roses in Love. They are probably the same lipstick (since they have the same code) but have different names given to them.

In the photo above, Kate Winslet wears Lancôme Rouge in Love in Delicate Lace. There isn't a shade called Delicate Lace in the UK website, nor a lipstick with the same code. I'm guessing this shade is only available in the U.S.

Effortless Beauty

2012-02-24T16:03:00.002Z

American actress and model Amy Jackson by Charl Marais on Vogue India February 2012.

The beyond gorgeous Amy Jackson gets made over in pretty pink pastels.

Effortless beauty.....

Melanie Maria Kania created these beautiful looks with blush tones.

Hermes ribbon + braids

2012-02-23T14:38:00.002Z

Braids. I think it works well on every hair colour except black as there isn't much contrast. There's an exception for ultra volumized black hair or those with some highlights.

Decided to do some braiding on myself.

Hermes ribbon
I did the easiest, most basic 3 way braid in this picture.

I recommend youtube if you want to learn how to do them. I love french-braiding but I can't seem to do it myself. Everytime I tried to learn, my arms get so tired and I just give up.

Maybe one day.....

Winter to Spring Transition

2012-02-22T00:00:00.001Z

Yihfang wears: Topshop oatmeal cardigan, Zara white vest, pink skater skirt from Bangkok, Primark teal flats, Swarovski nasty long necklace, Swarovski earrings.

Beverly wears: Forever 21 cape chiffon top, Topshop pale denim fringed hotpants, Topshop T-bar flats.

I'm wearing: ASOS white bandeau body, Topshop peplum denim skirt, Topshop embellished kimono jacket, Jane Norman T-bar crochet wedges, Swarovski bracelets.

As winter gradually dissipates and transitions into spring, you'd know it's time for a wardrobe change, so throw all that gloominess out the window and let some colour shine into your life this spring! Now that pastels are the new brights, it's a lot easier to play with colours as a lot of pale washed colours go together with less chances of colour clashing.

YihFang is sporting a girl-next-door outfit with a flirty baby pink high waisted skirt worn over a plain loose vest. An oatmeal cardigan was added for a preppy, toned down look. Since the colours are pretty washed out, we added a pair of teal coloured flats for a pop of colour. And of course, a clean necklace to go with this simple and effortless outfit. This outfit is perfect for a romantic first date.

Beverly's outfit is very laid back and casual. She's wearing a flowy chiffon top which is lightly printed. Since it's quite a striking piece, we wanted the bottom to be less conspicuous and overpowering, so we paired it with a simple pair of pale blue hotpants. We added these T-bar flats instead of ordinary flats so that the lower half of her body wasn't too dull. This outfit is perfect for a casual day with the girls.

My outfit is a little more fancy and complicated, and it's more of a cute party look. The white bandeau body was paired with a light denim peplum skirt to create a feminine dress that defines the waist. The sheer embellished kimono was thrown on top to add a bit of glamour and sparkle to the outfit. You can't step into a party without a pair of heels, so these T-bar wedges were added to complete the look. This outfit is perfect for a spring party.

Ballet Inspired Lacquer

2012-02-21T01:21:00.006Z

Since I was in kindergarten, my mum had already signed me up for ballet classes hoping that one day I will gain good posture and be a girlie girl.. if not a professional ballet dancer/teacher. Since then, I have been so in love with ballet that I started to collect anything that is ballet-related, which included stickers that was quite common during that time! Even till now, though I have stopped attending ballet lessons, I think that somehow this has influenced me in what I "love" or "prefer" in terms of clothing/style.

The thrilling Black Swan movie exposed us to the dark side of the world of ballet, but I think it is time for the dreamy side of ballet to come back to its full glory.

O.P.I has finally come to the rescue...

They've partnered with New York City Ballet for Spring and came up with this amazing collection of soft and gentle colours as the opening strains of Tchaikovsky's Pas de Deux.

Barre My Soul. Ballet slippers who??

You Callin' Me A Lyre?

Envious naturally looking fabulous nails isn't a dream.. anymore..

Don't Touch My Tutu!

Snowy white perfect base ideal for colour blocked nail-art designs.

Care to Danse? Super feminine lilac.

My pointe Exactly. Sheer grey that suits all downtown prima ballerinas.

Pirouette My Whistle. Silvery topcoat with multi sized glitter flecks.

Nails

2012-02-20T17:48:00.000Z

It's really irritating that I can't seem to leave my nails long over here in the UK. They break or chip anyhow. I'm not very sure if they're getting weaker or not because I could see some vertical ridges but google says they're harmless. In addition, they will grow more prominent as we grow older.

What I worry about the most are my toenails. It was looking great (nails properly trimmed and cleaned, dead skin removed, surface polished constantly). Now, they're awfully ugly. I felt the need to cover them in nail polish when I was back in Brunei during December. It became so horribly ugly after walking miles in my Kurt Geiger boots in London.

I felt like my toes were squashed when I was walking in it eventhough it was a perfect fit for my feet. It was one of the most painful experiences that I ever had, so I took them off and started walking barefooted. I never wore them again since that day.

The price I've paid for just a moment of wanting to look beautiful.

99 pounds, two ugly toenails and walking barefooted crossing the road to get to the tube. It was both embarrassing and hilarious at the same time.

I haven't been using nail polish since December. This has got to be a record. Usually, I would paint my nails at least once in every two weeks even if it's just one simple colour. In order to minimise these damages to my nails, I've started applying lotion on my nails before I go to bed.

Found some pictures of my nails from a long time ago.

Swarovski crystals arranged to form tiaras.

Stickers from a shop in Miri, Swarovski crystals, a small ribbon and mini pearl beads for decoration from China.

Embellished Ribbon

2012-02-19T16:44:00.002Z

Topshop Lilac Chiffon Diamante Ribbon

I bought the above chiffon ribbon from Topshop quite some time ago and it's merely a long medium-width ribbon encrusted with diamantes in the centre. Its delicate lilac colour and stunning diamantes caught my eye instantly and I couldn't resist getting it!

An accessory such as this ribbon is pretty versatile and can be used in different ways.

The ribbon can be tied around the wrist and you'd have a new sparkly cuff. A cuff bracelet instantly adds a little edge to any outfit. In this case, some sparkle too!

The ribbon can also be used to create a dazzling headband which complements many hairstyles. It's feminine, pretty and will undeniably sweeten up any outfit.

The ribbon can be tied around the neck to create a regal choker necklace that's utterly classy-looking, but sort of dramatic in a way.

It is entirely possible to make one such ribbon yourself. All you need is a beautiful stretch of ribbon cut to a reasonable length. The length would depend on the purpose of the ribbon. If you're looking to use it as a cuff/headband/choker, I would suggest a length that's long enough to use as a headband. You could also make a longer one to use as a ribbon belt.

You can then obtain flat back crystals, diamantes or rhinestones, and let your creativity run wild! If you aren't using self-adhesive crystals, ensure that you secure your embellishments in place with superglue to prevent fallouts. An embellished ribbon is also a great gift idea for your girlfriends!

A Flare for Peplums

2012-02-18T01:08:00.004Z

Spring is approaching very soon as the temperature is starting to rise and the sun is out! One of my favourite seasons of the year :)

Fancy a little update on your wardrobe anyone?

All eyes are on your waist as peplum is the hottest silhouette this Spring. Peplum details were featured on skirts, dresses, jackets and even trousers on the S/S 2012 catwalks of high end designers like Alexander McQueen, Marchesa, and Vera Wang.

I personally think it's quite cute and classy at the same time as it accentuates your curve and brings a bit of sexiness to the overall garment. And not to mention some glitter to glam it up!

Must have peplums.

"Fashion Statement". DO NOT wear more than one peplum piece at a time. It will just be scary and will add way too much fabric around your mid-section.

A gift

2012-02-17T16:02:00.002Z

Perfect gift for my mother.

She has been looking for a pen to hook in her bag.

Simply adore the sparkling baby swarovski crystals in it.

I'll probably buy the plain white one for myself.

Pretty in Pastels

2012-02-16T19:05:00.006Z

Every year as Spring/Summer approaches, bright coloured or floral garments would, without a doubt, hit the shelves of every possible high street store. I was never really a big fan of vivid colours, so I was pleasantly surprised to find out that pastels were in trend this spring.

This year, designer Elie Saab showcased a series of intricately-detailed couture gowns in a rainbow of candy-coloured shades!

Elie Saab Couture Spring/Summer 2012

Mint Green

Glacier Blue

Beige

Peach

Baby Pink

Ivory

Pale Lemon

Is your sweet tooth tingling yet?

For your convenience, shop pastels: Lipsy, Miss Selfridge, ASOS, Topshop.

120 Colour Palette

2012-02-16T01:34:00.001Z

Last Christmas, I bought myself my very first eyeshadow palette from BH Cosmetics. After weeks of anticipation, the parcel has finally arrived all the way from the States. They really do care about the details and the quality of the product shipped as the items were carefully protected which I was quite impressed with. One happy and satisfied customer :)

This 120 colours palette from BH cosmetics is their best selling palette and they even have its 2nd, 3rd and 4th edition.

All the colours can possibly suit every season. Spring, summer, autumn, winter.. you name it. These heavenly hues from deep rubies, glittery onyxes, emeralds and lustrous lavenders, will make your eyes do all the talking.

It comes with a sleek and portable case which is convenient to bring along. This stylish eyeshadow palette encases two amazing colour layers in a 9" x 6" hard case.

Upper case displaying warmer colours..

Lower case displaying cooler tone colours..

Under camera flash, the colours are just amazing!

Can't love them more.

Will experiment with all the colours soon and hopefully I'll be able to share with all of you. Embrace colours, play and have fun with the em'!

Snow in london

2012-02-14T17:54:00.002Z

It was snowing on the 4th of February in London.

Snow makes everything pretty.

If I could, I would buy big chunks of ice in Brunei, shave them with my ice kacang toy machine

and fill my backyard with ice as if it's snowing but Brunei is way too hot for this to ever happen.

Being in a country which only has summer all year long, makes snow exciting for me and something that I really look forward to.

With my cousin, Rachel.

Bought these wellies due to water soaking into my socks through my boots, even though I've sprayed the waterproof shoe protector several times before putting them on. My feet were feeling a little uncomfortable so I decided to buy this impulsively because I kept having this thought of not wanting my new River Island boots to stink.

These are the cheapest boots I could find in London for 38 pounds. I seriously have no idea how these silicone boots get so expensive (especially Hunter boots) because in Brunei, you could easily get one pair for B$9.90 at any "$1.80" shop. This pair of boots got pretty useful in London for absent-minded people like me. There were puddles everywhere. However, when the weekend was over and I was back at Nottingham, the snow had stopped. For the first few days, my Cath Kidston's boots was put to full use. I wore it everyday to lecture.

But when the snow swept away, the paths were clear.

I have the urge to wear my Cath Kidston's boots again but it hasn't snowed since that weekend. It will make no sense for me to wear it now so I'm drowning myself in regret. Why did I even waste 38 pounds on that pair of silicone boots? First, I can't even wear them in Brunei. Second, fishmongers wear that in Brunei. Third, it's so heavy and bulky. It's definitely going to take up a lot of space in my luggage. On the bright side, I've got a cute green polka dot gardening shoes in Brunei.

Our Saint Valentine's Day

2012-02-13T20:24:00.005Z

It's funny how women expect grand gestures, a bouquet of flowers, a romantic dinner or perhaps a proposal on the most romantic holiday of the year, Valentine's Day. It's no wonder every decent restaurant in Nottingham sets up an overpriced 3-course dinner to take advantage of this highly commercialised day.

Since we weren't willing to fork out £45 per person for a dinner on Valentine's day, we decided to save that extra cash and celebrate this special day over the weekend. To double up the fun, Beverly and I decided to have a joint Valentine's Day celebration!

Couple #1

He just refuses to stand.

Couple #2

The Ladies

ASOS Peplum Playsuit, Versace x H&M Gold Bracelet, Pieces Gold Necklace, Topshop Diamante Leggings, Jeffrey Campbell Black Distressed Litas.

ASOS Off-Shoulder Body, Lipsy Embellished Asymmetrical Skirt, Versace x H&M Gold Bracelet, Topshop Court Shoe.

Top: Used my Naked2 palette for this occasion!

Bottom middle: Our matching bracelets!

And we're ready for dinner!

We originally wanted to have dinner at Tonic Bar & Restaurant but they were fully booked so we went across the road to Sinatra's.

My dinner, steamed mussels in white wine and cream sauce.

It looked awesome and it tasted quite good.

Beverly's pork belly dish.

A little something for the four of us!

Me to You Valentine's Day cake.

Outside the restaurant, in the freezing cold. We weren't able to take much photos inside the restaurant as we didn't want to use much flash and the photos turned out really dark and grainy.

You've got mail.

Beverly and I bought the same card for our boyfriends because we absolutely love HUGE cards! What's not to love? They're BIG and pretty!

Winter Wonderland

2012-02-12T17:07:00.017Z

Zugspitze , Top of Munich

It was a total mountain experience – adventure, a breathtaking view and alpine atmosphere.

Due to the delay of snow in the UK, my boyfriend and I decided to go to Munich to enjoy a bit of snow in advance. I remembered that we were so excited to see the land covered in snow on the way to the mountain!! It was really a great experience for a very acceptable price! (compared to Swiss which is well known for their mountains)

The view is magnificently breath taking, overlooking the mountains covered with snow.

Couldn't be more excited to play with snow..

Red knitted beanie (a gift from friend), Marc Jacob Sunnies, Topshop Faux Fur Cape Coat, Burberry Gloves, Aldo Boots.

Louboutin Red

2012-02-11T02:10:00.004Z

My first make up collection.

CHANEL's limited edition eyelash curler, powder pad and mini blusher/eyeshadow brush.

Von had previously bought me eyeshadows before but these are the very first that I've bought myself :) It's really easy to persuade me to spend money on a certain unnecessary item that I don't even need. All I need to hear is just two words - 'Limited Edition'.

Same thing happened when Sony introduced a limited edition slimmer red coloured version of the PSP. I was trying to follow the trend and my neighbour, Markus, wanted me to help him level up his avatar. I also fell in love with this game called DJmax. I was a crazy gamer back then. My favourite colour was baby pink but I got the red instead, all because it was limited edition.

Since Sony made red the limited edition colour, I started buying all my gadgets in red. These included my:

1. Dell Laptop (It's broken now because I accidentally dropped it from the second floor at my old house). I'm currently using my mum's white Vaio.

2. HDD (which I lost)

3. Sony camera (got squashed in Singapore's mrt so my mum got me a cheap baby pink canon for temporary use in the UK)

4. iPhone4 silicon cover (still intact)

Now, my favourite colour is no longer baby pink.

It's RED.

SEXY RED.

LOUBOUTIN RED

My first pair of Louboutin shoes.

Naked2 Palette!

2012-02-10T20:20:00.006Z

Just got my hands on Urban Decay's Naked2 Palette from House of Fraser after they sent out an email which enticed me! Although it's a brilliant palette, I originally wasn't planning on getting it due to its hefty price and I didn't think I needed it. Then, I realised that I'm constantly using neutral shades especially when I'm on the go. The Naked/2 palette has all the shades needed to create that sultry natural eye look in one wonderfully convenient, non-bulky palette case!

Speaking of the palette case, I like the case for the Naked2 palette! Its metal casing looks fantastic, though it makes it a little harder to open. The Naked2 palette looks pretty similar to its predecessor, but the first palette contains mostly gold or bronze (warm) colours while the new palette contains more taupe/grey (cool) colours as well as gold colours.

The Naked2 palette included a mini lip gloss and a double-ended crease and shadow brush. I would've actually preferred the primer potion but I guess they replaced it because this time around, they were giving us two brushes instead of one.

As I was walking towards the Urban Decay counter, I was surprised to see quite a number of people gathering around the normally quiet counter. And just as I approached the counter, a lady literally took the Naked2 palette off the shelf and said "I'll take this!". I then looked at the shelf and there were only 4 Naked2 palettes left! They are currently selling out fast so if you're planning on getting them, move now!

And We're Back!

2012-02-10T16:24:00.015Z

Hello there! I know we've been MIA for a while and we sincerely apologize for that. You could say that we were pretty busy *ahem* revising for our winter exams. Anyway, with the exams over and results out, it's time for a major full-blown comeback!

Next Skirted Coat, Marc B bag.

Travelled to Paris with the boyfriend for a relaxing after-exam getaway. Paris is a beautiful city with breathtaking sights! In the photo above, I’m standing in the midst of Champs-Élysées, Paris’ shopping district. The area wasn’t as extravagant as I initially thought it would be. It had a shorter stretch of shops compared to London’s Oxford Circus but on the plus side, it had a huge Sephora store! The footpaths were also exceedingly wide so shopping in Paris was a lot more relaxing.

But enough about that, we have more updates to come so stay tuned!

P.S. As you may have noticed, my coat seems like it's missing a button and that's because I had forgotten to button up fully that day :)

Jewellery Stand

2011-12-09T23:29:00.019Z

I realised that my jewelleries were not always in place when I needed them, or the worst thing that could happen is when I have totally forgotten about them. How unorganized I am, I have to say.

Since then, I have always wanted to find something to manage my accesories/ jewelleries as they are getting more and more in time! Thanks to that obsession I have!!

Luckily, I found this wonderful stand that will keep my problems at ease for now!

Asos Jewellery Stand.
With a white painted finish, featuring two tiers with multiple hooks (especially useful for necklaces/ earrings), and a domed top.
Credits also go to the designs with bird detailing~

From left to right: Aldo Necklace, Aldo Gold Diamante Tassel Earrings

From left to right (back) : Chomel necklace, Mikey Feather earrings

Diva Gold Diamante ring

Paperself Lashes

2011-12-08T21:49:00.009Z

Image Source: paperself.com

Paperself eyelashes are unique paper lashes inspired by the art of Chinese paper-cutting. I love these intricate lashes because they're so innovative, contemporary and sort of avant-garde. I realise that they can't be used for any simple occasion, but I just had to get a pair for myself even if it means I'll never get to use them. It doesn't hurt to collect them, right?

Paperself Paper Lashes - Peacock

My Paperself lashes arrived today and I'm glad I chose the peacock one because it is absolutely stunning! Loving the details! The first photo of this post shows the model wearing it. The lashes are extremely long though, and I'm gonna be really bummed out when I have to eventually cut them short in order for them to fit. I'm planning to get Lace Garden (inspired by the nineteenth century French silk bobbin lace) next!

Paperself Paper Lashes - Lace Garden

Cheryl Cole's Shoe Collection for Stylist Pick

2011-12-07T22:58:00.004Z

Put yourself in Cheryl Cole's shoes.. literally.

Your Royal Hotness in Midnight Noir.

Your Royal Hotness in Blush.

The insole is pretty cute.

A screen shot of the site.

Cheryl collaborated with Stylist Pick and they came up with a range of 12 shoes she would be caught wearing. You can view them here. 'Your Royal Hotness' is Cheryl's signature shoe and probably one of best out of the bunch. I'm not really digging the collection of boots though, as they're a bit too masculine for my taste. Anyway, I'm unwell at the moment and am lost for words, but I just wanted to share the news with you guys. Let me know what you think of the collection!

Back II Basics

2011-12-07T02:36:00.017Z

Just a bit of additional tips on flawless skin -- every girls' dream.

In every possible way, beauty products are a girls' MUST HAVE! Some people think that having pimples is like the worst nightmare and to be honest, I don't think I can live without beauty products.

I believe that flawless skin can be a dream come true when you have a healthy lifestyle. This includes consuming plenty of fruits (a good source of antioxidants!!) and keeping yourself well hydrated.

A clean heathy skin is the foundation of flawless skin. That is why cleansing is crucial, not to mention, the use of toner to refresh and hydrate for the result of supple skin. Last but not least, moisturizer to nourish and protect the skin.

Lack of:

Cleansing ---> clogged pores, black heads, etc.

Toner/Hydration ---> dry skin, etc.

Moisturizer ---> dry skin, wrinkles, pimples, etc

Here's some of my personal recommendations on the "back to basics" 3-steps to flawless radiant skin.

My personal favourite :) Oi-Lin (Sunrider)

From left to right: Oi-Lin Cleansing Cream, Revitalizing Cleanser, Facial Toner,
SPF Moisturizing Cream.

Popular for its 3-step skincare:

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Clarifying Lotion and Moisturizing Lotion

Body Shop's Signature Tea Tree Oil range
This range provides cheaper yet effective alternatives.

May you all find your way to truly flawless skin!

Masking All Flaws

2011-12-06T18:31:00.009Z

If Yihfang's skincare routine isn't right for you, there's still a glimmer of hope left! MAKE UP. Foundation and concealer to be exact.

I've tried loads of foundations in the past and most of them irritated my skin at the end of the day. Worst of all, they exacerbated my existing zits and caused more breakouts! Who would want that? We'll get just uglier and uglier after every application! That's why I use Clinique's Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Foundation.

I started using this a year ago and have been faithful to it ever since! It provides great coverage, doesn't irritate my skin and new pimples don't pop up out of nowhere! The foundation has ingredients that treat existing pimples and prevent new ones from forming. That being said, I don't think it has helped treat my existing pimples but it didn't aggravate them further, and that's good enough for me.

I've also tried using several mineral foundations which claim NOT to clog pores, thus not cause any further breakouts. FALSE! Every single time I use mineral foundation, I get a new tiny pimple the next day! Coverage is really poor too as it doesn't conceal much at all.

I don't have much experience with BB cream but I think it works as I don't recall having any breakouts after. Unfortunately, most BB creams come in 1 shade only. And since they have SPF in them, that 1 shade seems like the whitest shade possible.

After applying foundation, I usually use L'Oreal's Touche Magique Concealer to cover up under eye circles and any other flaws peeking through the foundation. After brushing it on, I usually let it dry a little then lightly smudge the harsh lines because I feel that smudging right after application removes most of the concealer.

Sometimes when I don't feel like wearing heavy make up, I'll skip the foundation altogether and use this on red or flawed areas only. It brightens up the face and gives a more naturally flawless complexion. This concealer is not anti-blemish so if you're worried about breakouts, you can apply this concealer on top of a little anti-blemish foundation.

NOTE: These products worked for me but it doesn't necessarily mean they'll work for you. Nevertheless, I think they're worth a try!

Chanel Christmas 2011 Accessories

2011-12-06T00:12:00.007Z

ASOS Quilted Across Body Bags in Black and Nude

I bought the nude version of this Chanel inspired bag about a year ago and have been abusing it every since. Its design is timeless and goes with just about every outfit. Since it doesn't come with a hefty price, it became one of those go-to bags I consistently string along for a casual day out.

I recently decided to get the black version (at 25% off) because I found that the nude made too much of a contrast with darker outfits of mine. To my surprise, I actually preferred the black over the nude as it gave more of a classy feel to it, whereas the nude is more feminine. However, like most ASOS brand items, quality isn't great so the bags aren't very durable. On the bright side, it's an affordable alternative while saving up for the real deal.

A preview of Chanel's Christmas 2011 Accessories

Images from lachanelphile.com

I love the mini quilted black bag! More accessories can be seen at their amazing website HERE.

Face

2011-12-04T18:35:00.014Z

Facial products to share with all you readers :)

I use this in the morning before going to lecture. I was forced to use this because my Laneige White Plus Renew ran out and since Laneige is an Asian brand, I can't find it anywhere here in the UK. The Laneige bottle is considered to be quite heavy so I never know when it's actually near the end point. Hence, I had to use Neutrogena's Daily Cleansing Cushions which I brought for Plan B. It was very unfortunate that all three of my crucial morning skincare products ran out in the same week in this order - moisturizer, facial wash and toner. Right now, I'm just substituting them with my mother's SK2 toner (I have no idea how this ended up in my luggage) and a hand/body lotion as moisturizer. However, I'm not entirely sure if we can use different facial products together so please do leave a comment to let me know.

This is my night wash. It gives me a deeper cleansing that makes my skin feel softer, cleaner and tighter after every use. There is this once-a-month acne issue I get that frustrates me. What more when I get blackheads. To go for a facial treatment is like paying to suffer, in which I think when they're squeezing, they are just damaging your skin. This Neutrogena wave finally made me feel more confident with my skin. The only downside with this product is that I have to keep flying to Singapore to restock them because they are no where to be found in Brunei. I use an average of a box per month but sometimes half a month if my MacBeth Syndrome kicks in.

I use these two products for at least twice a week back in Brunei. I forgot to pack the Kiehl's masque in my luggage so I'm only using Origin Charcoal Mask here. Origin Charcoal Mask is used to suck out all my blackheads, whereas Kiehl's is a type of mask that minimizes pores. These two products combined work perfectly for me.

I've got few whiteheads that's really visible if you come closer to me and for that, I laser them off. One whitehead costs BND$10 (at current rate - £5). It DOES NOT hurt at all. It takes a few seconds to get it done, then it forms a scab which takes approximately a week to fall off your face. Say bye-bye to whiteheads.

Facial hair - Bleach them and trust me, your face will look so much cleaner.

In my opinion, I think it is impossible to get back to poreless babyskin after your pores have opened up to a stage where it's visible. The only thing you could do about it is probably cover it with make up.

For me, one way to end this insecurity: Look at close-up photos of celebrities. They're not as perfect as they're always seen in pictures/screens.

Source - HERE

Zooey Deschanel

Jennifer Aniston

Adriana Lima

Taylor Momsen

Jada Pinkett

Katy Perry

The Lust List

2011-12-03T02:55:00.009Z

Girls are never truly content with what they have. We're always craving for more.

House of Harlow 1960 Rey

I love this bag! The red velvet pouch and intricate framing couldn't have been a better combination. The black version is lovely too.

Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Mirada Amarante

In my previous blog, I mentioned how much I liked LV's Romaine. Well, I recently visited the London store to have a look, and Romaine is actually pretty large. Mirada, on the other hand, is a smaller but better version of Romaine in that it's perfectly sized and has extra straps. Fortunately, I had the pleasure of holding and admiring it for quite some time in the store.

Kurt Geiger Akira

I love the tribal cut outs on this one. I originally admired it when it was on display in Kurt Geiger last semester. It was one of the new arrivals so it retailed at £180! I wanted to wait until it had gone on sale (like a lot of KG shoes do) to snatch it. However, the summer holiday came and I totally forgot about it up till now! Needless to say, it's out of stock in my size.

Topshop Black Velvet Pinstud Body

Was considering this for quite some time but hesitated because it was quite expensive. It's sold out now so I'm kind of regretting it a little.

I have no clue where this dress is from but I love it! It was worn by Shenae Grimes' character, Annie Wilson, in the Thanksgiving "Smoked Turkey" episode of 90210. What I love about this dress: caged collar, bare back, cape sleeves and chiffon fabric! I really wish I knew where it's from! If you've found it, do tell :)

Urban Decay: Naked2 Palette

2011-12-02T00:09:00.009Z

You guys remember Urban Decay's Naked Palette right?

The Naked Palette sold like hotcakes last year. It had every shade a girl needed to create that perfect natural eye look. It's no wonder why Urban Decay was so quick to create its sequel, the Naked2 Palette.

Image source: temptalia

Shades from Left to Right (source: temptalia):

Foxy Cream bisque with matte finish (Repromote, not available individually)

Half Baked Golden bronze with shimmery finish (Permanent)

Booty Call Shimmery cork (New)

Chopper Copper shimmer with silver micro glitter (Permanent)

Tease Creamy pale brown with matte finish (New)

Snake Bite Dark bronze shimmer with metallic base (New)

Suspect Pale golden beige with shimmery finish (Repromote, not available individually)

Pistol Light greyish brown with shimmery finish (New)
Verve Oyster with shimmery finish (Repromote, not available individually)
YDK Cool bronze shimmer with metallic base (Permanent)

Busted Deep brown with shimmery finish (New)

Blackout Blackest black with matte finish (Repromote, not available individually)

Included in the palette:

Naked Sheer shimmery pinky neutral (Lip Junkie) (Permanent)

Good Karma Shadow/Crease Brush Dual-ended brush

I love the shades Pistol and Busted! For some reason, I'm attracted to shimmery shades even though I know that matte ones appear better in photos. As of right now, the Naked2 Palette is only available at the Urban Decay website and will only be sold in stores early next year. Here's another neutral palette I thought was worth mentioning:

BH 88 Palette Neutral Eyeshadow

I thought that the UD Naked Palettes had already covered most neutral shades, but BH Cosmetics managed to come up with amazingly 88 shades!

First day of december

2011-12-01T15:51:00.010Z

An easy piece of clothing I put together for the day.

Zara Basic Spaghetti Strap Tee | Miss Selfridge top | Levi's jeans | Topshop bag | Louis Vuitton belt

I'm rather simple. I prefer simple or one coloured clothing.

Recently, I discovered what a great job a hairspray can do. Most probably got influenced by my boyfriend, Metis. He won't go out unless his hair is well-sprayed for at least 50 times.

Metis' hair few months back

Metis' hair few years back.

His obsession with his hair is contagious.

I don't have thick volumized hair and they won't stay in the right place after a couple of hours. So if you have the same problem as I do, I strongly recommend this Schwarzkopf 'got 2b'! In addition, it smells great too.

Don't worry MetisWong, I got you one bottle too! :)

A Birthday Treat

2011-11-30T17:48:00.006Z

About 2 weeks ago, I turned 22 years old. Not the greatest feeling in the world, I might add. It had just dawned to me how much older I'm getting as I'm approaching my mid-twenties. Fortunately, I'm young at heart and still feel like a 19 year old!

My birthday dinner was Victorian/vintage themed. No, not because of this blog but because I'm somehow obsessed with that era. Oddly enough, I wish I'd lived to experience that era in time. So, bring on the pearls, lace and corsets!

Topshop pearl webbed necklace | Jane Norman lace corset | Miss Selfridge asymmetrical skirt | Topshop diamonate bracelet | Kurt Geiger Carvela red platforms

Topshop nude rose hairclip | Diva crochet necklace | Topshop leggings | Charles & Keith jewelled flats | Burberry wrist watch

Topshop laced glitter top | H&M shorts | New Look lace up brogues | Topshop earrings

Dinner was held at Zizzi Italian Restaurant, Nottingham.

The BEST calamari I've ever had! It was exquisite. I wish I had ordered more!

I ordered the lamb shank which was rather mediocre. It was really bland and not worth the heavy price.

Beverly's roasted duck which she was satisfied with.

Rich dark chocolate and lemon gelati.

A lovely cheesecake baked for me by the awesome Beverly! Yihfang helped decorate.

My gift from Beverly, Yihfang, Andrew and Cindy!

They bought me a pair of Vivienne Westwood earrings! The Vivienne Westwood signature logo in gunmetal, which I absolutely adore! My friends are so thoughtful and I LOVE them! One of the best gifts I've received so far. Yihfang previously bought a pair for herself in silver, so we now have matching earrings!

Tatty bear from them as well, and a birthday card from Michelle.

Thanks Michelle, I really liked the card! And, thanks so much guys! I really appreciate everything you've done to make my day as special and memorable as it was.

Christian Louboutin

2011-11-30T17:34:00.005Z

Christian Louboutin- The World of Heels

Lately I've been so in love with Christian Louboutin shoes, with their signature red sole. I just cant wait to get my hands on one of them - at least!

It reflects simplicity, elegance & sexiness - all at the same time!

How can we resist?

Love how the nude colour goes with the feet. From far, it's like wearing nothing at all!

Can't help admiring the detailed design and the colour of this shoe...

Definitely adore this colour!

"Sexy is to vast to be defined, but more than anything, it’s an ATTITUDE much like ELEGANCE." ::Christian Louboutin::

Celebrities who wear Christian Louboutin!

And also, their wedding collection!

It would be so nice, in fact, a dream come true to have one too on my wedding day!

Nails

2011-11-29T23:39:00.009Z

French manicure wedding nails I did for my cousin-in-law (May, 2011)

O.P.I 'Alpine Snow' nail polish | Swarovski diamante | Designs are partly drawn with a 3D-nail pen from Miri and partly stickers I got from China.

Mirror nails.

I've been looking for a nail polish like this. At first I thought only stickers would work the mirror effect well, only to find out today that Chanel's Silver does this effect perfectly!

Chanel's Silver is definitely going into my wish list.

Gloves

2011-11-29T22:57:00.003Z

H&M leather gloves

Swarovski crystal ring

I cannot wait to wear these gloves!

When is the snow coming?

Just the thought of wearing them is already ace.

The Very Best Versace for H&M

2011-11-29T20:52:00.006Z

Finally.. My long awaited 'Versace for H&M' choker has arrived!!

Surprisingly, the little precious box was kept in this big H&M parcel!!

Oh well.. how environmental friendly are they for the sake of protection.

Versace for H&M leather choker, £29.99.

I adore the golden polished flowers with little diamonates on them. Photos don't do it justice. It actually looks better in reality.

Here's a photo of me with the necklace.

And also up next.....

Me and Yvonne have recently bought this Versace bracelet which was once sold out!!! Can't wait for its arrival!

xoxo

High Waisted Shorts

2011-11-29T16:19:00.007Z

Images from lookbook.nu

I love a good pair of high waisted shorts. They're undeniably flattering and are made to elongate your legs! A must for my petite frame. I've been trying to get my hands on a dark vintage Levi's pair for ages, but I just can't seem to find the perfect one online.

High street may be the way to go.

Topshop Moto Highwaisted 70'S Hotpants

Miss Selfridge Berry High Waist Shorts

I love this colour!

Topshop Moto Coated Siouxie High Waisted Hotpants

Miss Selfridge Light Studded High Waist Short

Love the pale denim. Would love these shorts more if it weren't so heavily studded.

Boring monday

2011-11-29T00:40:00.014Z

I miss doing my nails.

One of my designs I did back in Brunei.

Swarovski diamante | Gold and silver baby beads I got from China ( To arrange this properly is such a painful process, but in this case, I just placed them in random positions to make them sparkle a little more) | Flowers from a shop in Miri (real dried coloured flowers that are meant for nails)

Faceshop gold nail polish | Silver baby beads from China

This took me more than an hour to arrange.

I forgot where I got this Tiger ring.

Revlon coin colour

Planning to change my nails to gold so I could match my ring.

I'm still thinking of designs since I only have limited colours here.

In my opinion, a tint of gold always makes people appear more posh.

Just look at these:

Gianmarco Lorenzi Swarovski pumps

Chanel iPhone 4 cover

Baby G-Shock watch

Holiday Bargains

2011-11-27T19:04:00.008Z

Over my summer holiday, I've come to realize how expensive clothes are in the UK (and U.S websites). A lot of low cost garments are marked up so high that no one realizes how much more they're paying. In the end, we're really just buying the brand!

Here's what I hauled from Asia over the summer:

Left: Cream crochet crop top from Bangkok, approximately £5.00. What a bargain right?! It was also available in black.

Right: Crochet mesh tunic from Brunei, approximately £12.00. This was probably already marked up as there isn't much competition in Brunei.

1) Crochet mesh tunic

2) Two pairs of cushioned flats from Platinum, Bangkok, approximately £5.00 each. These babies are so comfy as they're cushioned! Flats in UK cost around £20.00!

3) Cream mesh skirt with pearls, and pink lace mesh skirt from Platinum, Bangkok, again approximately £5.00 each. Everything from Bangkok is shockingly only £5.00!!

4) Little pearls on my cream mesh skirt

Well hello, hair extensions!

These wavy extensions add volume and length to just about any middle length hair, and it looks extremely natural! Got these from Malaysia as recommended by my cousin Madeleine for around £12.00. I love it so! In fact, you can see it being worn by Beverly during our recent photoshoot.

Amazingly natural, yes?

Regarding the cream crochet top which I bought from Bangkok (first photo on the left), I've found a number of similar tops here in the UK and online, which are retailed at a significantly higher price.

Miss Selfridge Black Crochet Lace Top, £32.00.

Zara Metallic Effect Top, £22.99.

Nasty Gal Lily Crochet Top, ~£31.00.

Now, this top is exactly the same as mine.

Found it on an online fashion retail site (which I won't disclose) for ~£22.34.

New Look Crochet Lace Crop Top, £12.99.

I think New Look's price on this top is quite reasonable and the top is pretty similar!

Next time, buy wisely! ;)

Casual Days

2011-11-26T22:41:00.003Z

Nothing like a hot cup of Praline Mocha from Starbucks to start a new day at University.

Topshop sheer black shirt | Asos brown leather shorts | Topshop coat| Boots black leggings | Vincci black/gold flats

Cream crochet cropped top from Thailand | Topshop high waisted black faux leather shorts | Miss Selfridge charmed over the knee leggings | Jane Norman black faux leather jacket | Cushioned flats from Thailand

Black Friday Shoegasm

2011-11-26T19:52:00.000Z

We've recently been obsessed with shoes. Not that we weren't before, but with all the SALES going on over the weekend, we couldn't stop ourselves from looking at shoes! Nasty Gal offered 25% off all full-priced shoes, ASOS had 25% off everything, Solestruck is still having its Black Friday weekend shoe sale, and Steve Madden is offering a 30% discount on all shoes!

Here's our list of splurge-worthy shoes!

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon Heart Dove

Not the most practical footwear but it has such lovely colours!

Vivienne Westwood Melissa Lady Dragon Heart Bronze/Glitter

Again, not something you could wear on any day, but who could resist this glittery sandal? It's too pretty!

Vivienne Westwood Melissa Wedge Blush/Cream

This has been on Beverly's wishlist for ages! Unfortunately, it ran out of stock when she tried to buy it.

Jeffrey Campbell

Jeffrey Campbell Bronte in Black Patent Wine Velvet

My personal favourite and currently in YihFang's wishlist! The wine velvet is just an amazing touch to this Victorian-styled shoe boot. I would buy it for myself if I didn't already have too many boots!

Steve Madden

Steve Madden SHAZZAM in Natural Multi

Beverly has fallen in love! The nude straps and glittery platform creates an illusion of standing on glitter!

Steve Madden SHAZZAM in Taupe Suede

A more practical version of the SHAZZAM. Would love to own these neutral platforms as I think they're very versatile. Sadly, they've run out in my size!

All Dolled Up

2011-11-24T23:49:00.000Z

About a month ago, the three of us decided to stay in for Halloween and play dress up! The theme of the shoot was "Porcelain Dolls". It was actually inspired by Allison Harvard of America's Next Top Model, who has these large mesmerizing doll-like eyes.

After about 2 hours of dressing up (and giggling), the photoshoot commenced!

From L-R: YihFang, Yvonne and I (Beverly).

YihFang wears: True Decadence nude lace dress, blackgodbold sequin headband, Eylure lace false lashes.

Yvonne wears: Miss Selfridge lace cream top, Primark pearl headband, H&M nude flower clip, Eylure top and bottom falsies.

Beverly wears: Cream lace ruffled shirt from Japan, vintage handmade headband from London, Eylure evening lashes, hair extensions from Malaysia.

I love this blurred candid photo of us!

Individual photos coming up!

YihFang

Yvonne

Beverly (Me)

That's a wrap!

Special thanks to Lydia Choo and Michelle Dieh for all the help in making this shoot happen!

Photography: Lydia and Michelle.

Hair and Make-up: Lydia and ourselves.

Editing: Yvonne On.

Bonjour!

2011-11-20T03:35:00.001Z

Hello and welcome to our fashion blog! We started this blog because we're passionate about fashion and beauty, and would love to express this. We're still in the process of learning and exploring so do forgive us if our fashion senses are flawed!

The name L'amour Victorienne is french for Victorian Love. We adore the Victorian era so we wanted to reflect this on our blog name.

Thanks for reading.

Lots of love,

the three of us