Beauty Products That I Love + GIVEAWAY | Buy or Bye

Happy (almost) Holidays guys! Final check-in of all the products that I've finished using in the last half of 2018. I've shortlisted a couple of my favourites that I think are worth mentioning, and I hope you find something that you like to include in your wish list for Christmas this year ;)

Gift Givin: His and Hers

Hi guys! I can't believe we're doing this again, oh how time flies... Every year, I round up some things and create a gift guide, it's almost like a tradition now. You guys wanted to see what selections I have this year, so here it is!

SINGAPORE FASHION WEEK + GIVEAWAY

I was lucky enough to attend Singapore Fashion Week, thanks to the team over at Zalora Singapore. It's good to be back again after last year at Audi Fashion Week. Here's Singapore Fashion Week 2015 through my lenses —

FIRST SHOW: EXHIBIT X ALT

On the day of my first show, I paired a faux leather jacket with my simple monochrome get up. These oversized cat eye sunnies are my favourite at the moment! I find it extremely difficult to find cat eye sunglasses that complement my face shape, so when I stumble across one that fits well they automatically become my favourite.

I very much enjoy dressing up for much less. Personally, I feel that dressing well has nothing to do with how much the item cost or how well you're keeping up with trends. Of course, a few investment pieces like bags and watches are fine, but I would never drop more than $100 on a top or bottom hence you will be seeing a lot of these words, 'tb' - which means taobao, in the item description below.

wearing: river island sunglasses from zalora / top & lace bralet from tb / skirt from tb (similar here)
structured bagpack from zalora (similar here) / prettyfit wedges

I've recently changed my fringe parting from side to bangs and it is sooo hard to manage in this heat! I wish there was a way to keep my bangs together. And as you can already tell, the blue in my hair has faded away to a green-blonde. I might have it dyed purple before I leave for Australia, still getting purple hair inspirations though and not sure if I could actually pull off purple hair.

SECOND SHOW: WOO/FIZIWOO AND ZALIA

For the second show, I went with something a little over the top, because it's not everyday that I get to be dressed in puffy skirts (oh, how I wish). I like to make sure that the hardware on my bag matches those on my necklace/earrings/watches or shoes. So for instance, since the clasp on this clutch is silver I paired it with a silver ring and a watch with silver hardware. Does anyone else do this too? I cannot leave the house with mismatched hardware!

wearing: watch from filippoloreti / lace top from zalora (similar here) / ring from sensibar
midi skirt from zalora (similar here and here) / cognition multi-functional bag from wandererwanderer (use the code: 'CEETREAT10' for 10% off storewide)

It was very difficult for me to decide which were my favourite looks for that evening, but these 3 definitely take the cake. Such elegant flowy pieces. These pieces are available on sale at Zalora, you can take a look by clicking here.

Big thanks to the team over at Zalora Singapore for dressing me up for Singapore Fashion Week and hosting this giveaway.

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++ GIVEAWAY TIME ++

Here's how you can win yourself a set of the brand new Dell Venue 8 7000, psst it's also known as the world's slimmest tablet so you can definitely bring it everywhere with you!

RULES:
1. Share with me a flatlay (taken by you) of your top few beauty/technology items that you cannot live without

OR

repost this image of mine (your account must not be private) with the caption 'I want the World's thinnest tablet!'
2. Follow all sponsors @zalorasg, @dell.sg and me (@ardaisy_)
3. Lastly, tag #zalorasgxardaisy #dellvenue8

Things to note: Contests ends 5th June 2015 and only open to those living in Singapore only (sorry my international friends, next time! but feel free to share with me your flatlays).

Good luck and stay gold, xx!

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Holiday Gift Guide

Yay! Christmas is now only 2 weeks away, and this means it's time for gift shopping! When shopping for gifts, I like to get presents which I know the receiver will use. I've come up with this simple Christmas gift guide which I hope you'll find useful. I do apologise that I'm only posting it now, rather than last week (as mentioned) - I was waiting for the arrival of a very special "guest" or prop which you'll see throughout this post. 

There'll be 5 different categories (the guys, the ladies, the minimalists, the fashionistas and the young and young at heart) and depending on the category some have a few 'save' and 'splurge' items, so there should be something that fits within your price range! At the end of the day, it's the thought that counts. 

Things to note:
There's a giveaway at the end of this post. Hooray!
This is not a sponsored post.

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1. For the guys
I don't often buy gifts for guys, but when I have to I find it challenging. They say it's easy to find a gift for guys, but I don't agree! I figured, what guys really need are necessities – like a wallet, a watch, a tie or shoes. 

Save:
I've got my eye on a pair of Nike Roshe (the female version, of course) and as I was browsing through the men's section I found some favourites! I like that you can customise your own pair, and that pair becomes uniquely yours. But do I really need another pair of running shoes when I hardly run anymore these days? Hmm...

Images source: Nike

Splurge:
A good pair of watch can last you awhile and a great gift without requiring you to rob the bank would be a pair of Daniel Wellington. There are definitely other watches that I would recommend and consider as a splurge but I don't want this gift guide to become ostentatious. I've written about Daniel Wellington's watches before, and if you're interested in reading it you may click here (unfortunately, my discount code for Daniel Wellington has expired.)

Diggin' the matte hardware on this pair and others from the Grace Collection. Something a little different from the usual. Also, check out the roman numerals on the dial! 

2. For the ladies Ha! This is an easy one.
Save:
Statement necklaces can easily glam up an ordinary outfit. Remember the statement necklace I wore a few posts ago? It's from Misabelle Sparkle, and if you're looking for a statement necklace for yourself or your friend I suggest you check out their site by clicking — here. With so many different types of necklaces for you to pick from, you will be spoilt for choice!

Image source: Misabelle Sparkle

Stationery — Write with style! Get yourself or your girl friend one of these pencils from Lahpompom with the choice of Audrey Hepburn or Coco Chanel quotes. Quote 'ardaisy20' to get 20% off your order, discount code expires on the 10th of Dec. So hurry!

Images source: Lahpompom

Metallic tattoos — I think it's high time we switched from those dull black temporary tattoos to metallic tattoos. I recently got a few online and I love it! Although some didn't last for more than an hour, boo. 

Lipsticks — Personally, these 'autumn' and 'winter' months I've been trying out dark lip colours. My favourite would be Illamasqua's Vampette. The pigmentation is really good, stays on forever and the best part, it is retailing for only S$34! I've also just ordered another 2 darker shades from Revlon and am still waiting for the shipment to arrive, but I can't wait to try them out! 

Splurge:
For those friends who are makeup junkies and prefer to go a level beyond the rest, try getting them a Tom Ford shade. I suppose the only reason I can think of to justify the insane price tag is the packaging and how it feels in your fingers lol. Ridiculous, I know. But compared to my other lipsticks, Tom Ford's packaging is the heaviest. And come on, can you deny yourself that black and gold pairing? I can't!

3. For the minimalists
Save:
These notebooks have been on my wish list since forever! For the minimalists who enjoy penning everything down, you could get them the Lined Notebook, 2015 diary (update: all sold out, NOOO) or Travel Journal from An Organised Life.

Images source: An Organised Life

Splurge:
I would say this is for the home owners as well as candle lovers, but really, the minimalists would kill for this. Priced at $39.90 for 30 hours of burn time, I would consider it a splurge. However, if you want to go all out, a set of Diptyque candles aren't half bad!

4. For the fashionistas that love a good book
Save:
How to be Parisian and this book by Alexa Chung is a must-have for yourself or those fashionista friends of yours. 

Splurge:
The Little Black Jacket by Chanel. This book has also been on my wish list since it was published, but never got around to buying it as it comes with quite a hefty price tag. Definitely a splurge, but very worthwhile and would make a great coffee table book! 

5. For the young and young at heart 
Lastly, my very favourite from this guide - Fake Snow! Who can resist it? Fake snow is obviously more fun when you've never experienced real snow before. I had so much fun shooting this bunch of pictures because of the fake snow. I can already think of so many ways this snow can be used - in a DIY snow globe, an ornament jar or sprinkle over the dining table (was a suggestion).  

GIVEAWAY TIME

To thank everyone of you for being so supportive on my various social media platforms, I'm hosting a Christmas giveaway (which is in it's 3rd week now) where I'll be giving away different items for 4 weeks, so that means 4 chances for you to win a lil something this holiday season!

This week, for Week 3 of #27daysofGifting, I'll be giving away a set of 5 Christmas greeting cards from The Little Talks.

Edit (14/12): This giveaway is open internationally and for an extra entry (for those of you who took the time to read my gift guide), simply leave a comment (and like if you wish to) on the time when a random act of kindness has touched you! Why am I asking this? Simply because I want people to see that there's still hope around us and you can easily make someone's day by your actions. Let's all send positive vibes this holiday season and stop wasting time on needless drama!

I'll be contacting the winner via email on the 15th of December, so please remember to check your email! ○

Good luck and stay gold, xx

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WHAT'S IN MY TRAVEL BAG

I'm leaving for Hong Kong in about 2 weeks and if you can't tell, I'm really excited! I'll be there for about a week and my itinerary isn't fixed yet so I'm taking in suggestions. If you're from Hong Kong, kindly leave a comment or drop me an email on the places you think I should visit, I would really appreciate it.

I love to travel! However, as much as I love to travel, I hardly travel. The irony... But I guess that's what makes it special and sometimes I get completely overwhelmed by the idea of travelling. I did some research on how to combat pre-flight jitters, flight appropriate outfit and how to save precious luggage space. I thought I would share with you guys, just in case.

1. Be prepared
You want to be prepared for anything - the change in weather, especially if you're going from a warmer country to a colder country, vice versa. Do your research (at least a month in advance) on the weather and start thinking about what you're going to wear. I say a month because if you realise that your wardrobe is not weather-friendly, you will have enough time to do all your shopping. The last thing you want is to be frozen solid the minute you step out of the airport. I don't actually pack the items into my luggage until 2-3 days before my flight.

The night before your flight, make sure that all the important and necessary items and documents like your passport, flight confirmation slip, medicine etc. are in your hand carry bag. Check again before leaving home. I once dreamt that I left my passport at home, and as a result, I missed my flight.

2. Dress comfortably at the airport/on the plane
You know how most people are dressed down at the airport, because comfort is key? Like them, I'm someone that puts comfort first, so while I may be shabbily dressed for a 4 hour flight, I still want to remain chic (if that is even possible). Of course, heels are highly not recommended, slip-ons should be your go-to, so you can remove them and curl up comfortably in your seat.

3. Luggage space is important, every inch of it.
To save luggage space for better things to come, roll up your shirts and tuck your socks in your shoes. Depending on your shoe size, you can fit at least 4 pairs of socks!

4. You don't just want to smell good
Coco Chanel once said, "A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future". Although I don't think that your future depends on whether you wear perfume, you would still want to smell good/decent. Did you know that scents can help trigger your memory? So if you want to be able to relive those moments again, pick a unique scent - preferably one that's never been used until the vacation. 

5. Lastly, for the ladies who can't live without their accessories
One trick that I learnt is to put your rings or earrings into those weekly pill organiser. A pill organiser would definitely cost lesser than any of your jewellery, so protect your jewellery! I am definitely going to try this for my upcoming trip! 

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Once you have all of your stuff packed, you're ready to go! What I like about the Valencia tote bag from Aide de Camp is that I can easily slide my bag through the handles of the luggage by unzipping the back. 

No more such situations ever again!

See you at the airport!

If you would like to win yourself a camera bag from Aide de Camp then head over to my Instagram page by clicking here to enter, any entries on my blog would not be qualified! Good luck!

In 2015, I hope that I would have more opportunities to travel (something I need to work on with my parents). On my travel list: San Francisco (been wanting to do so since 2012), Europe (which was supposed to be my graduation trip but got cancelled ugh), Norway and Iceland. ○

Stay gold, xx
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“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”

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