Haul | F21, Uniqlo, Zara & F3 Bazaar

So...I did a little shopping over the past few weeks.
Nothing major (read: not a huge damage to my wallet), and I scored some sweet deals during the F3 Fashion Bazaar sale last weekend (9 -13 May)

Let me just say that if you are a fan of F3 shops, this once every 2-3 years bazaar is the best thing evarrr.

If you don't mind past seasons stuff, that is. Also, sizes either run big or small, so it's a good time for curvy/skinny girls to stock up.

Clothing items go up to 70% off (and more for some) while accessories and jewellery will not exceed $10. In fact, Topshop's jewellery line, Freedom, were all going at $2 each.

Tip: Follow them on Facebook or Instagram for first deeds! (but it won't be until a few years later)

Let's get right on to the haul!

(Pardon the un-ironed sight of them)

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F21/UNIQLO 

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F21 is to fashion what MacDonald is to food. Both are cheaper alternatives, both give customers satisfaction and happiness, and both end up with customers regretting (sometimes) going in there after coming out, with their wallets/health not unscathed. *All are from F21 unless otherwise mentioned*

1. Knit Cami in Heather Grey/Black/Mint - $4 each
These are good for layering under that translucent/gaping back top or even on its own with high waisted shorts and midi skirts. At $4 each, I almost got every colour they had in stock. Almost.

2. Burgundy Dress - $23
Something easy to throw on with a dainty necklace for those lazy-to-move days. Plus, since it's so lightweight, it's great for the summer!

3. Short Sleeve Long Dress (from Uniqlo) - $29.90
I have the same exact dress, minus the belt, in mustard yellow and I LOVE IT. So I decided to get it in this pretty blue too.

4. Dripping Necklace in White - $10 (UP: $27)

5. "C' in Gold necklace - $1 (UP: $7)

6. Triangular necklace in Orange - $10 (UP: $21)

7. "C" on Black - $1 (UP:$7)

I don't have colourful statement necklaces and since 4 & 6 were on sale, I thought I'd add them to my collection. I got 5 & 7 because, how cute are they!! And they have my initials on them too! They would make great everyday necklaces as well~ Can't believe I didn't see them previously and at $1? They are a steal.

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ZARA

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My love for ZARA has been rekindled. Recently, they have been coming out with really pretty and trendy pieces and I am lusting after them. Unfortunately, I am not working i.e no income which pretty much means no spending recklessly.

1. Striped Shirt with Jewel Buttons - $79.90
I love the details on this blouse and my mum personally okayed it so...I got it. Although horizontal stripes are usually frowned upon for full-figured people, there are ways to make it work. The material that the striped top is made of, for one, can help soften the overall effect that stripes have. Here, the blouse is made of chiffon, a lightweight and flowy material, which helps mitigate the 'blocked' effect that stripes impose. Another tip is to look for thin stripes. Thick stripes add to the overweight effect which is what we want to avoid. So, with these tips, don't be afraid of wearing horizontal stripes anymore!
(A detailed shot of the blouse at the bottom of this section)

2. Faux Leather Skirt - $79.90
Yes, I jumped on the skorts bandwagon. Like everyone else. Gotta say though, I sorta understand what the hype is about now. These are great for spring/summer.

3. Faux Leather Skirt with Zips - $69.90
I know. It's white and no, I'm not crazy. I had to exchange this after buying it because the black skorts stained it. Just from being in the same paper bag. My heart dropped when I saw the stains but thankfully, and gratefully, the people at ZARA were willing to exchange it for me. So BIG BIG THANKS TO THE PEEPS THERE :) Note to self: gotta be extra careful wearing this out.
You might wonder why would I buy it if it's so troublesome. I got it because, first off, it's white and second, it's so soft! It's like wearing cotton candy. Plus, the dolphin hem - the curved line at the sides - gives it a sporty vibe and additionally, it is supposed to be a very flattering hemline for shorties (like me) as it helps to elongate your legs.

Close-up of the jewel buttons.
I love the level of details but this blouse is gonna take some time to put on.

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WAREHOUSE/TOPSHOP/IZZUE

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Bought all these on 2 separate occasions. First on F3 members preview day (9th) and the second on the following Sunday (11th). They had a promotion for DBS/POSB card members - $10 off for every $100 spent. Which means, more savings!!

1. Black Utility Jacket with Pleather sleeves (Warehouse) - $59 (UP: $156)
I'm a sucker for outerwear. Nuff' said.

2. White Strappy wedges (Venilla Suite, made to love) - $69 (UP: $159)
"I don't need more shoes," said no females ever.
White is always en-pointe for summer and this pair of wedges has an interesting detail on its strap - it's a clear band going across the top of the feet. I have high hopes for this pair of wedges as my everyday shoe this season.

3. Flocking Foil "X" Tee (Izzue) - $19 (UP: $59)
This is a men's tee. Sometimes, I feel that men's tees have such nice designs. This is one of those times.
I was pulled in by the holographic detail with the cutout stars. Usually, I don't like tees with words but "HEATWAVE" is pretty apt for the upcoming weather. And yes, don't limit yourself to only the clothes meant for your gender, if you like it and it fits, get it (if you have the means), regardless of which gender it is supposed to be for.

4. Flowery Spag Cami (Topshop Boutique) - $15 (UP: $103)
I only realised that this is made of 100% silk when I got home. Imagine my joy and surprise as 100% silk anything is usually pretty expensive. In the scorching heat, wearing silk is a good way to keep cool. I thought that this would be a good piece to bring with me for an upcoming trip in July (more details later!) as it's going to be hot and humid where I'm going.

5. Leather top (Warehouse) - $23 (UP: $153)
I gotta give my thanks to my friend who saw this and gave it to me (because it was more my size than hers).
This is a mixed media top - the front is of real leather (sorry my vegan readers) while the back is of chiffon with an overlapping flaps detail. Initially, I was hesitant about getting this because it's kinda tough to wear leather in Singapore and I debated this over a Topshop chiffon top. Which, come to think about it, was kinda stupid to debate over because the savings for this leather piece totally tops the Topshop piece. So, I'm totally glad I got this in the end. Now, the question is how to wear this in this weather...

6. Spikes Earrings/Earcuff - $2 (UP: $23)
I've seen many versions of the earrings/earcuffs but they are always studs. Which, sadly, I can't wear because I have thick earlobes. So when I chanced upon this at the bazaar, I snapped it up! And at $2, it's a major steal.

7. Stegosaurus Ring in Gold - $2 (UP: ???)
Doesn't the 3D flatten things resemble the dermal plates on a Stegosaurus' back? Well, at least I think so. Pretty cool!

8. Religious Statue in Resin Necklace - $2 (UP: ???)
A plain white tee is the best canvas for this necklace to stand out. Not your traditional statement piece and pretty unique within my necklace collection.

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Didn't do much damage considering my past record so I'm plenty happy.

Can't wait to wear some of them this coming summer!

Have you done any shopping for Summer 2014?

What are your must-have pieces?

For me, I think the white wedges, Spag Cami and Knit Camis will be my go-tos this summer.

Hit me up @ Twitter or Facebook!

I'd love to hear from you :)

Also, follow me on Lookbook or Instagram to glimpse a slice of my daily life!

Till next time.
Love,
Christine xoxo

I'VE NOT SHOPPED THIS MUCH SINCE LAST YEAR!

Guys.

Geddit, GEDDIT?? :D 

If you do then...

"Haha, yes, I did it. Puns away. You're welcomed."

But if not...

"Okay, forget it. Just continue reading"

Before I go on,
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
May 2014 be full of happiness and awesomeness for all of you :D

First post of the year and it's a shopping haul post.
I hope this don't mean anything for the rest of my year.

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Last Friday, I met up with one of our (El's and my) mutual friend from high school and we went shopping!!

ALWAYS SAY YES TO RETAIL THERAPY PEOPLE.

(I felt bad only doing shopping just because I know she's not a shopping person. 

Even El (who's in HK now, stay tuned for her post!) asked if our friend was bored just shopping with me. :( )

A rare photo of Hannah and I.
Taken that night at The Long Bar @ Raffles Hotel. The place was very retro.

It was nice talking to her as she is studying in Sydney and hence, we only see her once a year. Even then, we don't really talk. It's more of a watch TV shows and just hang out at Hannah's place kinda thing.
So yes, it's amazing how our friendship survived with just a measly annual meeting that doesn't even involve much interaction.

Anyway, yes, I went shopping and when Christine goes shopping, it's never a good ending for her bank account.

No exception this time round.

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Hit the jackpot at these stores.

I think they ran out of TOPSHOP bags. 

I only realised that ALL I bought were bottoms when I started on this post. LOL.

Here are the individual shots!

ALL WERE ON SALE. HURRAY FOR SALE SEASON.

Jeans: Topshop (Motor Baxter Skinny), S$49
Black slouchy shorts: Forever 21, S$10
Denim shorts with embroidered flowers inserts : Forever 21, S$15
Black skirt with green flowers: Warehouse, S$49
Zippy pleather skirt: Pull & Bear, S$29.90
Plaid skirt: Pull & Bear, S$17.90

I'm trying to build up my basic essentials staples.
The jeans and pleather skirt are definitely going on the list.
It's a ever-growing list.

Besides focusing just on plain basics, the little details matter too.
Cue denim shorts and the skater skirt.
So yes, pay attention to the little details.
Even a simple pleather skirt has so many variations to it.
(The zip down front changes so many things)


Got a Spikes & Roses bracelet from Topshop, Freedom too (S$9). It was love at first sight.
Love the contrast between the edgy spikes and the feminine roses. Such a bright colour too.

I will probably put together a lookbook for these soon so look out for it! :)

Till next time.

Love,
Christine xoxo.

A Green and Blue Day: Flowers and Plaids

It was a rare cool day yesterday, accompanied by the chance of rain of course (as always in the case of Sunny Singapore).

I had a meeting with some of the higher-ups in school in the morning and was ordered to wear either trousers or skirts.
Far Right: Sipping on some Banana Chocolate Frappe from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf @ Bugis+
A rare day that I bothered to do my eye makeup.

 The meeting didn't go well but my outfit did! :)
I love how the flowers contrasted with the otherwise man-ish look of the plaid and trousers combination. I went for a really colour-coordinated look in blue and green - both are my favourite colours now!

Speaking about plaid, it's a key piece for the Fall. 

One can never go wrong with a plaid button down top.

Inspired from the kilts of Scottish men, plaids are often found in the colour red.
For some reason, I find the ubiquitous red ones kind of tacky. And common.

But of course, some, with the right shade of red, looks amazing.

To stand out from the rest of the plaids, invest in a not-so-common shade.
(Like the green one I am wearing!)
Or simply find one in a different material, for example, chiffon.
Lightweight materials work wonders in the tropical rainforest climate here anyway.

It does not have to be a top either.
Trousers, skirts, dresses, or even overalls (I absolutely adore this one by UNIF) will instantly transform an outfit for the Fall.

Outfit

Plaid Top: Bershka, ~$59.90

Blue Bottom: Mango, ~39.90

Shoes: Itti & Otto, $109

Bag: TopShop, $39 (on sale)

Accessories: Braided head band (really long ago), Qoo10; flower clips, H&M, ~$3.80; Ring, Haji Lane, ~$5

Till next time.
Love,

Christine xoxo

Self-declared retail therapy day + OOTD

Recess Week

The long-awaited break from the boring lull of school.

Although to us Uni peeps, it might as well have been named "catch-up-on-schoolwork/group projects week".

It just so happened that I had to make a trip to town to take some photos for a group project of mine, alone, this one day during recess week. 

I didn't want to waste a trip to town just taking photos and what's more, BY MYSELF. 

And so I thought to myself: 

"What better way is there to spend some quality time with myself than some retail therapy." 

Killed two birds with one stone. :D

My wardrobe needs more friends anyway.

And so, I acted like a tourist that day, going around taking photos of random things and most importantly, shopping.

Where do I look like I am from? 

OOTD: Black and Red Semi-Grunge Look
Red plaid sleeveless shirt: Topshop, $49 (sale); Khaki Jacket with pleather sleeves: Warehouse, $156; Black flare skirt: F21, $10
Bag: Topshop, $39 (sale); Skull hand necklace: a shop at Far East Plaza, $16, Snake double ring: Lovisa, ~$12.90; Red flats: Rad Russel, $59.90 (sale)

Forever taking my OOTDs in the toilet. This time, the one at Paragon.

I went to Miss Selfridge (Paragon) first. I have been lusting after this cream chiffon long-sleeved crop shirt from the shop ever since I saw it on F3's new arrivals. 

And yes, I got it. As you can see from the Miss Selfridge bag I'm carrying (above)
Splurge of the day.

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Topshop was my next stop. A friend gave me a Topshop gift card  for my birthday.

Look at how bright the pink it is!! My eyes.

I was thinking of using it and hence, tried on some stuff. 

Ignore the elephant thighs, thank you.

Didn't buy anything in the end as I didn't find anything I liked (at a price that agrees with my bank account) on me. Also, the card expires 2014. There's still plenty of time for me to find something suitable.

 Love the denim flare dress though. Something easy to slip into for those lazy days.

Add a statement necklace or a bright skinny belt, and some pretty flats, and ta-da! You're ready to go!

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H&M was a must-go.

I've heard great things about their A/W2013 fall collection. 

Seeing is believing and I totally agree with what I've heard. 

Sadly, the weather in Singapore doesn't.

Met with their mid-season sale though. 

One thing H&M sale is good for is their jeans.
If you're lucky (like me), you can find jeans going at $10 - $20 from their original price of $39.90, $59.90 or $79.90.

Plus, they have quite a wide selection. 

The sad thing is that sizes (especially the bigger ones) runs out fast or are limited. But do check it out for you never know when you'll get lucky.

Some stuff I tried on:

I liked the "OH CREPE" T-Shirt a lot but sadly it was really huge on me (can't really tell in the photo) and I have too many white shirts anyway.
The boyfriend jeans were $10. TEN DOLLARS. Who can resist buying it!

Other things worth checking out during H&M's sale are their accessories and hosiery. 

The mark-down prices on their necklaces and rings makes buying them worthwhile. 

(We all know that costume jewellery from such places don't really last long)

However, bags are something I wouldn't look at. Although prices are really attractive after the discount, you'd often find stains and whatnots on them. Plus...the quality of the bags are questionable sometimes. 

Anyway, hosiery go for as low as $2 (not often) or $5 (quite often) which is a pretty good deal. One that I can't resist.

And so, on that fateful day, my wallet was relieved of its not-really-unwanted "burden."

Retail therapy, as expensive as it may be, is always a success. 

Happy me.
Sad bank account.

P.S Stay tuned for a haul post about the spoils of that day and others that I've accrued over the past few months! :)

Till next time.

Love,

Christine xoxo