sponsor – An Exercise In Trivial Pursuits

The Best Scents for Your Mood

Posted on November 10, 2014November 13, 2014 by Chloe Happ

Scents, as we all know, can do wonders for your mood. They can calm you down, invigorate you, improve your alertness, relief stress. Indeed, scents are so mysteriously magical that there is a whole science devoted to it.

Aromatherapy as a science began in the early 20th century, when a French chemist by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the healing properties of lavender oil when applied it to a burn on his hand resulting from an explosion in his laboratory.

Since then, aromatherapy has been an area of research and development in many cosmetics companies.

Our sense of smell plays a role in receiving information from the scent receptors in our nose, and then communicating that input with parts of our brain that are responsible for our emotions and memories. So when we breathe in essential oils, these parts of our brains are stimulated, and in turn affect our physical, mental, and emotional health.

There are a few common scents in women’s fragrance that come with their benefits such as

Invigoration: Rosemary, citrus scents like orange and lemon.
Stress Relief: Lavender, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang.
Sleep Aid: Lavender, Chamomile, Sandalwood.
Mood Elevation: Peppermint, Bergamot.

And here are the benefits of the most popular scents:

LAVENDER

It has calming properties that help relieve emotional stress. It has a soothing effect on nerves and can relieve depression and nervous tension, as well as treat headaches and migraines.

LEMON

It improves concentration and has calming properties. It also has antibacterial properties and can help to fight colds and sore throats by boosting the body’s immune system and improving blood circulation.

JASMINE

Like lavender, Jasmine is also used to calm nerves. It is also widely used as an anti-depressant thanks to its mood-lifting properties.

ROSEMARY

Monday blues? Spritz on a whiff of rosemary. Apart from memory boosting effects, rosemary has stimulating properties that help fight physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, and headaches. The wonder herb can also be used to relieve muscle aches and pains.

CINNAMON

It has stimulating properties that can help fight the fatigue monster and improve concentration.

PEPPERMINT

Try a spray of peppermint when brainstorming. An energy booster, this scent invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking.

Aromatherapy is pretty amazing. Whether it’s for setting the mood at a candlelight dinner, a relaxing bath, or even at work, scents can be a simple yet powerful tool for managing stress or creating the perfect environment of your choice. Your favourite scent can be your trademark, and lift your mood, so you’re walking on cloud nine all day. Have your found your signature scent yet?

What are some scents that improve your mood, boost productivity or make you feel most confident in? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!

Rants & Raves

5 Celebrity Styles with Sneakers – Supermodel Edition

Posted on August 25, 2014August 22, 2014 by Chloe Happ

How do you wind down on after a long day’s work? Surely not click a spreadsheet in the comfort of your pyjamas at home to crunch more numbers, right? Like supermodels who spend all day strutting up and down the runways in heels, more often than not, it’s sneakers that they spend their downtime roaming around in.

And that makes the case for sneakers all the more powerful. Kicks – pumped up or not, are so incredibly comfortable and versatile it’s hard not to love them. They work for any look, from girly to edgy and everything in between! If the glamourous jetset aren’t afraid to slip into them, neither should we.

See how these 5 supermodels work their thang in their sneakers. Try not to rush out and build your sneaker collection after reading this, I dare you!

1. Girly (floral sneakers)

The Victoria’s Secret Brazilian bombshell, Alessandra Ambrosio, looks fresh and feminine in light wash skinny jeans, a cream colored knit sweater, and floral sneakers, which matches her floral cat’s eye sunglasses. With minimal accessories and her sun-streaked brown hair in a loose knot, this look is effortless and breezy.

2. Glam (wedge sneakers)

With that black leather jacket, dark wash jeans, shades and wedge sneakers, British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s urban chic outfit is THE outfit for the glamorous jet-setter. Those black Isabel Marant Betty high-top sneakers (made of leather and suede) are practical enough for getting around, while her blue Hermes bag adds an unexpected pop of colour to her edgy outfit.

3. Edgy (leather sneakers)

Czech super model and former Victoria’s Secret angel Karolina Kurkova is killing it with this cool urbanista outfit. A loose printed top with a trenchcoat-that’s-not-a-trenchcoat gives off a laidback vibe that is toughened up with her black Monika Chiang high-tops, leather leggings, and a structured handbag. A pair of sunglasses completes the look for this city girl.

4. Preppy

Karlie Kloss nails the All-American look here with her black Converse sneakers, white shorts and black long sleeved tank. She would look right at home at the country club with this preppy tennis-inspired outfit, methinks.

5. Sporty

Australian Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr wore her olive-green Isabel Marant sneakers with a striped tee and dark skinny jeans. The loose striped top gives off a sporty vibe that totally agrees with her shoes. Minimalist accessories like a roomy tote bag and sunnies are all you need for this pared down, girl-about-town look.

Don’t you love your kicks more now? Go on now, shop for sneakers and unleash your inner sneakerhead!

Rants & Raves

5 Pairs of Shoes Every Woman Should Own

Posted on July 6, 2014July 7, 2014 by Chloe Happ

Okay confession time. I went shoe shopping again. I couldn’t help it. I came across a gorgeous pair of heels online and I caved. Some women go weak in the knees for fragrances, some for handbags, and some for shoes. Guess which camp I’m in?

At least I don’t have a bag obsession. That would definitely not sit well wit my wallet. Shoes, I can manage…

I think.

Speaking of managing got me thinking: if I had to narrow down my shoe collection to just 5 pairs of shoes, which would I keep? So I made a list.

5 pairs of shoes every woman should own:

Killer Heels
Sneakers
Flats
Sandals
Boots

Killer Heels

Every woman needs to own at least one pair of heels in their arsenal to completing a wardrobe. Also they’re pretty much a rite of passage even if you’re not going to be seen in them every single day of the year. I mean, look at Victoria’s Secret model Doutzen Kroes above! I’m not saying I look like that when I’m in heels, but the confidence comes through, you know?

All my life, my mother has preached the importance of wearing heels and vehemently stand by (and in) them till today at age 60. I’m the tallest among the women in my family – by that I mean, my mother and sisters are all shorter than my 5′ 0″. The addition of the extra height that heels provides has been much welcomed for us. And I know my husband who’s almost 6′ tall appreciates it when I’m standing next to him.

I remember my first pair, thrust into my hands like the wand of transformation to adulthood. The change was palpable. I felt all grown up in my big girl shoes. Heels make you stand taller – literally and figuratively. You walk different, you look different.

Up till now, heels remain my go-to footwear when I want to look my very best.

Sneakers

Tell me how effortlessly cool Nicole Ritchie looks in her all-black ensemble. Comfort and chic all at once – even on Mummy duty!

Sneakers make you the go-to girl for everything! There’s just something about them that makes you look instantly approachable and capable. And we all need our days off from heels.

Flats

My everyday shoes? Flats. See how Anne Hathaway looks polished in a jeans and tweed jacket combo, and did a classic Audrey in an LBD with her black flats? Flats as we know today, after all originated from ballet flats and are one of the most feminine footwear a woman can wear. Just throw on a pair of capris, a simple boat-necked striped shirt and flats… voila! Parisian chic – nailed!

Sandals

I can see some of you curling your lips already. Sandals have a reputation of giving you a lazy and unpolished appearance BUT they are one of the most comfortable things you can possibly wear.

Besides, if Supermodel Gisele Bundchen can look this hot in sandals, so can you.

Boots

Boots are great for talking the edge off a too-sweet ensemble and injecting some character into an outfit. I love how Rachel Bilson throws a spin on a flirty red floral dress and instantly exudes the air of a rocker chick with those combat boots!

So? What do you think? Am I right or am I right? Look at your shoe closet now and see if you have everything! If not, go complete your collection!!!

Rants & Raves

Showcase Your Success Subtly – How Not to Appear too Pompous

Posted on July 3, 2014July 6, 2014 by Chloe Happ

When you’ve achieved success in life, which has been a long term goal from your youth, it is natural to want to flaunt your money and power to the world around you. It’s only natural to have that desire, but oftentimes, when done poorly, such show boating will come back to bite you. But the solution is not to live a meager life like Ebenezer Scrooge simply so that you don’t come across as a pompous holier-than-thou elitist. There are socially acceptable ways to let those around you know that you are doing well, but in ways that appear subtle and therefore do not elicit feelings of envy or bitterness. Take some of these successful tips to tastefully showcase your success.

1. Drink Your Whiskey Neat

Subtle things like what you order when you are out with friends can show that you’ve developed a taste for the refined and can afford the taste all at the same time. Ordering a steak when you’re with friends is one great way to do that, but more importantly and more visually is how you order your drinks. If you order beer, you are not demonstrating an adequate success story. After all, the most interesting man in the world does not always drink beer, in fact I’ll assume he drinks mostly tequila and whiskey. When you order a whiskey neat, you’re showing an advanced appreciation of fine booze, and it shows you are drinking a liquor of adequate quality to not require the icing down that a lower shelf whiskey requires. A whiskey neat exudes the sort of success you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

2. Fine Jewelry and Watches

You don’t want to wear a money clip around your neck with hundreds splayed out for all to see. So what’s the next best thing? An actual piece of valuable and classy jewelry does the job and all the talking you need it to do. Cufflinks are nice, a fancy tie is elegant and acceptable, but a beautiful Rolex watch says a lot about where you are at in life and what you’ve done to deserve it. You don’t even have to spend the retail price on a Rolex to get a good one. There are places online that repair rolex watches and can sell them to you. They use genuine Rolex parts, so it’s not a situation where you’re duct taping up a nice Mercedes and calling it good. Explore the fine options at The Watch Buyers Group and you’ll see just how attainable this token of your success is.

3. Dress the Part

The worst thing one can do when trying to exude success is to dress up for the occasion at times that require it, and then slum down the rest of the time. We all agree that flip flops and sweat-shorts are the most comfortable to lounge around the house in, but if you let yourself do that, you are not maximizing the effect you have on the others around you. You need to not just act the part of a successful person, you need to be that person, at all times. You never know who you will meet and where. Don’t let any photos be snapped of you where you are not dressed to the 9s. The only way to do that is to be dressed so at all times.

Fat-shionista

Fat-shionista #524

Posted on June 20, 2014June 20, 2014 by Chloe Happ

I saw Aarti’s instagram post on this dress and I was like, HEY! I have it too! And I thought it should be today’s Outfit of the Day.

I really like this dress even though I was very skeptical about fitted dresses bought online. I have a really wide midsection compared to my hips so I wear a UK12 for bottoms if they are elasticised and go up to a UK16 when they are fitted. The miracles of miracles… THIS DRESS FITTED LIKE IT WAS MEANT FOR ME! If you’ve been following my blog, you’d know that I love custom tailored dresses and I have at least 12 dresses that are made-to-measure because I just want them to fit me for me. This dress however, felt like it was just that even though it was prêt-à-porter! Wheeee… Happy happy joy joy!

The other good thing is that shift dresses are great for bringing you from work to play. And that’s why I’ve dressed it up differently here. For work, play down the florals and brights with a jacket and more sensible shoes. As simple as that! Quick change of shoes, a bolder lipstick and flash some skin, that’s it! A different look!

What I’m wearing today:

Dress: Green flower dress with pink and orange accents from LURVE HANDLES

Outerwear: Grey and black lined boucle blazer from OLD NAVY Studio Spotlight

Accessories: Gold dangling shards necklace from OLIVER BONAS; Gold pleather weave belt from H&M

Footwear: Red lacquer platform sandals from ZARA WOMEN; Black wedge pumps from ZIPIA

I can’t rave enough about how awesome this dress is at only S$45.90. This dress comes in Size 1 (UK14), Size 2 (UK16), Size 3 (UK18) and Size 4 (UK20). I love that while it’s a fitted waist, it’s cut generously and is lined! Of course, if you know me, POCKETS! It’s missing pockets! Otherwise, it’s perfect! Anyway, don’t worry if you’re not in Singapore. LURVE HANDLES ship internationally too! That’s how I got mine! It flew here!

Oh by the way, here’s Aarti’s post on the same dress (and then some) on her blog! Check it out!

Fat-shionista

Fat-shionista #522

Posted on June 17, 2014June 26, 2014 by Chloe Happ

To market, to market… to buy a fat pig… Except not. I’m vegetarian. I’m pig-friendly these days. But yes, this is what I typically wear when I do my grocery runs. Either shorts or leggings – depending on the weather. And either a t-shirt or a tank-top. I typically go to the supermarket about once every 7 to 10 days ALONE because T says his feet aches when he walks for too long on flat ground (as opposed to undulating terrain like when we’re hiking). Just as well, because I like to take my time and go round the aisles twice in case I miss out on a good deal. So yeah, this is my Housewife of Las Vegas ensemble. HAHAHA!

What I’m wearing today:

Top: Grey TENNIS band t-shirt

Outerwear: Dark grey cardigan from LURVE HANDLES

Accessories: Natural bamboo weave bangle from ISLAND SHOP; Pink Skipping Girl brooch from ETSY; Brown slim ribbon belt from LURVE HANDLES

Bottoms: Light blue cuffed denim shorts from OLD NAVY

Footwear: Brown heeled clogs from OLD NAVY

Oh BTW, check out LURVE HANDLES, a new PLUS SIZE Online Store based in Singapore – don’t worry, they ship internationally too. They stock sizes from UK14-20 and prices range from S$12.50 for basics to S$45 maximum for dresses – that’s really decent right?

The grey cardigan fits really well across my shoulders (17″ across) even though the sleeves are a little long for me (because I have short limbs in general). My shoulders are actually a lot broader than my hips and I’m an inverted triangle so the length of the cardigan is great for hiding my weird proportions. The belt however was too big for me. It’s a little over 53″ long and the first hole is at 44.5″ so if you’re a UK16 like me, you’d probably need to add more holes to get it to fit right.

Rants & Raves

Buy SEPHORA online through ZALORA Singapore now!

Posted on May 19, 2014June 4, 2014 by Chloe Happ

Hey Singapore pals! Gone are the days where you have to stock up at your overseas Sephora store! I know that their signature black & white stores have hit the shores of Singapore a while now but guess what? You can now shop Sephora online through your favourite multi-label Singapore-based website, Zalora!

I used to love going into stores and touching the merchandise, testing it out and all. But once that’s done, I save the hassle by buying online. It gives me the freedom to buy something I already know I want, without contending with queues and travelling to an actual, physical store. Have you ever gone to a store only to find out that they do not have physical stocks of the items you want? ARGH! How annoying! Also, online shopping these days come with the perks of user reviews. Instead of going to a store, looking at the advertising copy on the product and second-guessing its actual benefits, I would much rather click on the product listing in the comfort of my seat/bed at home, search for user reviews and hit ADD TO CART!

And if you need more reasons to check out Sephora at Zalora, how about easy returns and free local shipping for orders over SGD40? Forget expensive and complex international shipping!

Rants & Raves

Shop with MasterCard: Great looks from Lane Bryant

Posted on December 2, 2013December 2, 2013 by Chloe Happ

OMG it’s the start of December! The year is almost over and Christmas is just round the corner! In a few days, I’ll start opening my 12 Days of Christmas Swop gift and my family will be coming over to spend Christmas and New Year’s with us! Have you done all your Christmas shopping? Are you all set for the festivities? AND most importantly, do you have the right grab to usher in the New Year?

As you can tell from previous posts, I was super excited to be shopping at Lane Bryant – all thanks to the S$250 prepaid MasterCard I received. While the money I have is limited… day dreaming is FREE! And I have styled several looks from the Lane Bryant website just for fun!

If you haven’t yet done your shopping and are fretting to pull together a new getup or two, check out Lane Bryant! Also, if you’re based in Singapore and own a MasterCard, don’t forget that you can enjoy a flat rate of S$26 standard shipping on orders of S$135 or more at Lane Bryant by entering the promo code MCSHOP at checkout, and paying with a MasterCard card. Besides Lane Bryant, Singapore’s shoppers can also look forward to online discounts at Inverted Edge and Skin Store – more details at: www1.mastercard.com.sg/borderfree.

MasterCard – BorderFree Promotion:

Starting now through 31 December, 2013, all MasterCard cardholders will get to benefit from special offers and promotions at top U.S. retailers, in a regional collaboration with Borderfree, with country-specific specials
Full list of participating merchants can be found at: http://bit.ly/1ah54S5
For purchases to Singapore from e-tailers, simply enter the promo code MCSHOP at checkout, and purchases will be eligible for:
- Lane Bryant: Flat rate of S$26 standard shipping on orders of S$135 or more
- Inverted Edge: 15% off all items
- Skin Store: Save $30 USD on skincare and beauty purchases of $130 USD or more
- Or Singapore, visit www1.mastercard.com.sg/borderfree for more details

Take this chance to treat yourself to that figure-flattering dress for the year-end party or pamper your skin with beauty brands not available in Singapore!

Rants & Raves

Shop with MasterCard: My Lane Bryant Purchases

Posted on November 28, 2013November 28, 2013 by Chloe Happ

Ahead of the holidays, MasterCard generously provided me with a prepaid S$250 card for spending at Lane Bryant! My task here is to share with you a special promotion by MasterCard in collaboration with BorderFree.

The best part of this is that my friends back in Singapore get to enjoy shopping with one of my favourite US Plus-Sized retailers and can enjoy a flat rate of S$26 standard shipping on orders of S$135 or more at Lane Bryant by entering the promo code MCSHOP at checkout, and paying with a MasterCard card. Besides Lane Bryant, Singapore’s shoppers can also look forward to online discounts at Inverted Edge and Skin Store – more details at: www1.mastercard.com.sg/borderfree.

If you’re skint like me and are not bothered about having the latest thing, check out their SALE section. So anyway S$135 is about USD108 (I used 1.25 as the exchange) and I already used part of my SGD$250 on the following items:

Striped Hardware Tank USD19.90

Control Top Capri Leggings by LANE BRYANT USD28.95

Argyle Chelsea Sweater by LANE BRYANT USD29.99

Fringed Ankle Boot by LANE BRYANT USD34.99

So thanks to MasterCard, I will have new togs for the holidays and new year!

That’s an entire outfit and yes, I intend to clash the stripes with the argyle! (Breaking “rules” is awesome, you should try it sometime!) These items are separate pieces which I know I can always mix and match with a lot of existing items in my closet. I love bright colours, I love prints, I love fun pieces and patterns. And you know, a good fit is PRICELESS, especially since I’m in-between sizes now. There are just so many things on the Lane Bryant site that I love love love and I know will work on my body type (= ball).

Undecided people who just don’t know where to start should try out the Lane Bryant JUST FOR YOU survey app where you tell them a bit about yourself (body shape, age, etc) and then rate a bunch of styles to help them determine what to recommend. Cool right? The site is so user-friendly and because of the wide range of styles/sizes, I actually feel “average sized” unlike when I am in brick & mortar stores in Singapore!

If you’re worried about quality or sizing or colour (especially since you might have been burnt by dodgy blogshops), there are product reviews written by real users to help you understand what you’re about to purchase. Start off small, maybe purchase one or 2 items first. Share the first shipment with a friend if you don’t hit the S$135, then perhaps after you’ve experienced the quality and service… shop shop shop till you drop!

At the same time, there is a 50% Black Friday offer (code: THANKSLB) on right now at Lane Bryant and is valid online through 11:59 pm PT on 1 December 2013.

Here are the steps to apply the promo codes:

Change your country to Singapore [At the bottom of page, navigate to INFO > International Shipping]
Apply THANKSLB code at checkout for 50% discount [At bottom left of page]
Click “Start Checkout”
Apply MCSHOP code [At bottom right of page]
Process payment and your order is complete!

Wooohooo!!! Black Friday sales!!!

Can I also say that prepaid MasterCards are one of the best gifts you can be giving someone this holiday? As good as Ang Pows, maybe even better (because you know… online shopping!)

MasterCard – BorderFree Promotion:

Starting now through 31 December, 2013, all MasterCard cardholders will get to benefit from special offers and promotions at top U.S. retailers, in a regional collaboration with Borderfree, with country-specific specials
Full list of participating merchants can be found at: http://bit.ly/1ah54S5
For purchases to Singapore from e-tailers, simply enter the promo code MCSHOP at checkout, and purchases will be eligible for:
- Lane Bryant: Flat rate of S$26 standard shipping on orders of S$135 or more
- Inverted Edge: 15% off all items
- Skin Store: Save $30 USD on skincare and beauty purchases of $130 USD or more
- Or Singapore, visit www1.mastercard.com.sg/borderfree for more details

Take this chance to treat yourself to that figure-flattering dress for the year-end party or pamper your skin with beauty brands not available in Singapore!

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