Everyone will toss out their skinny jeans in 2019 in favour of more of-the-moment cuts (okay, not everyoneee; I just personally don’t wear skinnies easily).
In past years, we’ve seen the rise of the Boyfriend, the Mom and the Girlfriend jeans, but in 2019 denim has gone back to basics with the classic Straight Leg taking front and centre stage.
With a looser fit, this style is more forgiving (and way more comfortable!) than the Skinny, while still streamlined enough so you maintain that long and lean look. If you never embraced the peg-leg fit of the Mom or Boyfriend, try this jean of all trades.
Tips on wearing them, as well as four styling outfit ideas in this video.
14th February gets a bad rap for being cliché, commercial and lame, but I don’t care, I love it.
I think it’s nice to have a day dedicated to love, and it’s not a day just for lovers; it’s also a chance to express love to your nearest and dearest, like your family and friends.
Perhaps it’s because I was in an all-girls institution for the ten formative years that are primary and secondary school, but I remember Valentine’s to being Friendship Day in school; the crafty ones would weave friendship bands and make trinkets, the more literary would write letters and cards and many would buy sweets and little gifts to give to other girls in school. It was nice. I still have some of those cards, letters and little gifts too!
I honestly remember most of my Valentine’s Days. Some spent with then-boyfriends who really went the extra mile to make the day special. Even though we’ve all long moved on, I’m still thankful to have been blessed with them for that time in my life, and it makes me smile.
Some spent single and ready to mingle. I went out with the girls and I remember laughing at lovey dovey couples and pledging our love for ourselves and for each other.
One spent crying because I had just broken up with someone days before the 14th of February. It was a lesson to treasure and cherish what I have.
One where an unexpected bouquet arrived from a not-so-secret secret admirer. I love floweres, but I really encourage men not to spring for flowers on this day because they’re so much more expensive(!) (sorry, my florist friends Elyn & Yilian! I can’t help that I have an inner practical streak), but it was quite a lovely surprise, and a beautiful bouquet.
Another where flowers arrived so unexpectedly when the husband (then boyfriend) was based in New York. There was a 12 hour time difference and while we spoke twice a day, he never even mentioned remembering the 14th, and then I opened the door to this cheery box of blooms. Way to make my day!
It doesn’t matter whether a fancy candlelit dinner (extra points when the food is stellar and there is a view), Japanese food (here’s the trick, at least a couple of years ago – because Japanese food is not considered “romantic” like Italian or Western cuisine in general, you will not be subject to overpriced set menus, which are a nightmare for picky eaters like yours truly) or a KFC picnic (one of my favourite Valentine’s dates, actually – bonus was the live band and beautiful Valentine’s Day set-up…all for free! Thanks, NParks!), I’ve found that it truly is the company that makes all the difference.
So couples, no need to spring for something fancy if it’s over your budget. Effort and thoughtfulness go a waaaay longer way, and I think I speak for most girls when I say that. Write a letter, make a scrapbook, put together a snack hamper…even fold some hearts.
To the Valentine’s haters – and I know that this has no co-relation to one’s attached status (but sadly, seems to have a co-relation to one’s perceived age) – instead of b**ching about Valentine’s Day and throwing negative vibes around, how about buying a small gift/writing a little note or even just dropping a loved one a text to wish them and let them know you’re thinking of them this day?
This day dedicated to love, it’s only as cliché, commercial and lame as you choose to make it.
And even then, is being basic and cliché every now and then such a bad thing?
We’re way too young to be too cool.
I know I am. 😎
Put Georgia Caney otherwise known as TheVintageVision to the ultimate Singaporean life skill test: ordering hawker food! (Seriously guys, what did you think?)
Also had a chat with her about being an “ang moh” here in Singapore.
She and I filmed a Singaporean vs. British slang smackdown for her channel, check it out here.
Was honoured to host the recent Nobel Perspectives Live! organized by UBS. Held at the beautifully restored Capitol Theatre, it was the first stop of a global UBS forum streamed live across the world, and a chance for 1000 students to listen to the insights of four Nobel Laureates in Economic Sciences as they discussed the questions that matter.
The four Laureates who were the stars of the session included Michael Spence, Roger Myserson, Peter Diamond and Robert Merton. Paul Donovan, Global Chief Economist for UBS Wealth Management, moderated the very lively panel.
Minister Baey Yam Keng was the guest of honour at the event, and he gave the opening address on Singapore’s move towards being a smart nation; how as a country of our size, the greatest asset we have is our people. He touched briefly on how education, regulation and governance had to keep up with the move, then posed the first question to the Laureates: what are the top global trends that will impact the future of the youth in Singapore.
The students had earlier submitted questions for the Laureates, and the good folks from UBS had taken these questions, painstakingly categorized and distilled them into key topics that were discussed at the event. These were questions that couldn’t be Googled – I was so curious to find out what young Singaporeans were most concerned about.
Turns out that the pet fear in the hearts of many was about job losses as a result of technology disruption. I guess while market disruptors such as Uber and Grab have made life easier for the average person on the street (and I am sure many of the students present use these regularly), the students are not ignorant of the fact that jobs would be affected and/or rendered obsolete as a result.
71% responded affirmative to the live poll I conducted during the forum that they were concerned about not finding jobs after university, which begged the questions on what skills we would need in an automated system and whether there was a need for changes to the system.
All four Laureates touched on adaptability and the blurring of lines in terms of specific skills/fields of study:
Robert Merton talked about how principles are key compared to learning specific skills or one’s chosen major in school, and the importance to have the opportunity for play within the system in order to innovate and keep up.
Roger Myerson spoke about having the readiness to develop new skills as needed; to start with principles and learn specific skills along the way that would support those principles.
Peter Diamond said to recognise that technology is going to affect every single job on the market and to be ready to learn and grow rather than to be fearful of change.
Michael Spence talked about not limiting one’s capacity to take risks, the advantage of being in a risk-taking culture (e.g. Silicon Valley) and how the most exciting things sometimes arise from the boundary between fields – similar to Merton’s point on not being fixated on specific fields and/or skill. He was confident in the current system, although views were mixed from the others on whether there was a need for changes to the way people are educated.
Myerson called for spreadsheet literacy. He pondered what a “job” is and what skills will be needed to fulfill needed roles in the new economy. He highlighted good old fashioned “reliability” as still being key, while Merton touched on the way we learn, how we learn and the periphery side effect as a result of advances to technology (e.g. how we are probably much worse at mental sums now that everyone uses computers for simple arithmetic).
It was a riveting session where I got a real insight into the minds of these brilliant gentlemen as we picked their brains for two hours.
The forum was live streamed and if you are keen to hear their thoughts on questions that can’t be googled, here’s the full video:
It’s been a really busy time. I know I say that all the time, but it still amazes me how life can actually get busier from not-so-long-ago states of busyness. (That’s a mouthful! But I know you get what I mean. =))
Other than hosting jobs and producing content for my YouTube channel, the past few months have also kept me busy coming up with fresh content for DELLAA (check out our Facebook for all the goodies; website to be up soon!). We also just moved to a new office, which took up more time, and I have been actively interviewing people to join the team (hit me up on DELLAA’s Facebook if you’re keen!).
On top of that, I try to keep up with the few things I prioritise: fitness, family and spiritual time. If you’ve been following me, you know that I prefer morning workouts as it starts the day right, energises me and also makes me feel like I haven’t “eaten” into my busy day by starting at a time when many are still asleep.
However, netball season has started and I train two nights a week with two different teams – that means only five free nights left. Slot in family time (both for my own family as well as for my in-laws), time with my girlfriends (I need girl talk to keep me sane!), time for religion (to keep me centred) and time for voluntary work (I have been committed to the same group for over 10 years now) and there really isn’t a lot of time left with the person who keeps me the happiest, most centred and most grounded.
The husband is as busy as I am with a coporate job and many interests that also include team sports, family time as well as time on his drums. In all this busyness, we don’t get a whole lot of time together, so when I was offered a full day of food and fun for two at The Centrepoint Mall, I jumped at the chance!
I was booked in for a hair styling session at Hair-Mori Salon to start – to pretty me up for the date! This is a Korean salon and my Korean stylist, Joel, gave me very K-pop-esque bouncy curls, which I love.
A little peckish by then, but didn’t feel like anything too heavy (we knew there was a massage next, and it is really uncomfortable getting a massage when overly full), so decided to grab a light snack and a juice boost at The Café by HIIC.
They have such pretty acai bowls, that we even packed some home for brekkie the next day!
I felt very healthy after having one. Is this how people who make the choice to “eat clean” feel?
Vitamins for the day, sorted and then some!
Next stop was to Elements Wellness to relax with a couples massage session. My therapist, Jess, was very friendly, and I felt very comfortable and relaxed with her soothing voice and experienced hands.
Way to start the day on the right note!
We stopped next at dal.komm COFFEE so he could get his java fix – and I could get a drink as well.
Fans of Korean television drama series would know that this Korean café chain was featured in the popular show, “Descendents of the Sun (D.O.T.S)“ (I unfortunately still have not made the time to watch this or any other Korean series!). This café at The Centrepoint Mall is its first flagship outlet.
I like how they have a good variety of non-coffee drinks for non-coffee people like me! I got the very refreshing iced Honey Grapefruit – admittedly because I love honey (the grapefruit was more a way for me to act healthy, lol). It was a good balance of sweet with just a touch of tanginess, which is the way I like it. The honey is apparently harvested in-house, and each cup is topped with diced fresh grapefruit. Yums!
Just outside the café is Origins, a skincare brand the husband introduced me to when we first started dating years ago (okay more like, a skincare line I discovered when I found it in his bathroom and helped myself to, LOL). The products I found then were the frothy facial wash and the charcoal mask, and I liked how both were gentle on my sensitive skin, yet worked to cleanse well. We stocked up on these and a few more items while there!
I prefer to shop for clothes on my own (I’m one of those fussy shoppers who takes ages trying and deciding), so the final shop stop was Metro, where we had to pick up a few essentials like towels (ours are looking a little worse for wear). Homeware shopping is also something T enjoys very much – most of the rugs, candles, plants etc. in our home were bought by him!
Finally, we rounded up our fun day out together with a dinner date at Kyoaji.
We both loved the freshness of the produce – check out that sashimi platter brimming with goodness from the sea!
We also enjoyed the creative dishes prepared for us by chef John Phua, like this Kani Tofu (crabmeat beancurd) dish. The tofu is made in-house and is soft yet savoury. It gives way to the sweetness of crabmeat within, and is drizzled with a foie gras-tasting sauce on top. Sounds strange, but totally works!
Another favourite was this Gyuniku Fagura Sauce (grilled beef with goose liver sauce). The beef was done to perfection, juicy, with the right mix of fat, and the foie gras sauce proved a very umami and decadent pair to the meat.
We truly enjoyed our day together. Special thanks to The Centrepoint, Frasers Centrepoint Malls and Abigail from Burson-Marsteller for arranging this special date for us!
Also, look out for an upcoming contest that will let you and your partner win all these fantastic treats at The Centrepoint! Check out my Instagram for more details.
