Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen

It took some getting used to, and has been  little hard to get the words out when asked my age, but I have come to terms with it – I’m 30 (and fabulous, haha!).

One of the girlfriends says ’30 is the new 20′, and I’ve to both agree yet disagree with her. Yes, as it implies that youth, and all the fun and spontaneity that comes with being ‘young’ doesn’t stop at 30. But no because #1: who says 30 isn’t ‘young’; and #2: who says 20-somethings have all the fun?? (Even if I did have a LOT of fun in my 20s…but then I enjoyed my teenage years as well, so…)

And so yes, this 30-year old knows that turning ‘Dirty Thirty’ is simply an excuse to celebrate many times over. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my life these 30 years, and thank you for not just putting up with the crazy that comes with that, but for also joining in sometimes.

 

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Balik Kampung

I’m definitely not print-shy – I love a cool print, and I’m always on the lookout for unusual or standout prints and patterns.

I like them for two reasons, one is that they are so much more fun and interesting than plain fabric – andI love the new trend of wearing pattern on pattern! (For those who have seen my Instagram feed and asked me about that; I will share how I mix my patterns in another post.)

Two, because I remember trying to create prints from single motifs during art class back in school – a lot of thought, effort and tweaks go into creating the more complicated kinds of prints, and it makes me appreciate an interesting print all the more. Even now as I source for materials to manufacture a design in, I find it quite a challenge to find prints that are both pleasing to the eye and fit the design of a piece.

I hence love this shirt. The print depicts scenes from an old village; or a ‘kampung’, as we call it in Singapore and Malaysia. It’s also bang on trend if you’re going for the monochrome look – just wear it with a black and/or white bottom. And the metal collar tips pull it all together.

maryjulian Ellimay Metal Tip Shirt | American Eagle dyed denim shorts | All arm swag & accessories from Jipaban | Black Raduth Cut-out Wedges; also available in Coffee & Khaki | Rolex watch |

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Brocade Blush

Love this take on brocade! Traditional brocade is usually textured and heavy, but this this is such a fresh and modern way to work the trend – plus the mirror print really ups the style ante.

Have a soft spot for pastels as well, and peplums really work if you’ve a boyish figure like mine – instant curves!

Chose to accessorize in warm shades of tangerine, blush and yellow to brighten up the look.

maryjulian Brenna Brocade Top (Pink) | Jipaban accessories; Margaux Bracelet; Christel Leather Cuff (Red); Kellyn Stud Bracelet (Orange) | Rolex watch | Kellier Weave Clutch (Yellow)

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We gon’ sip Barcardi like it’s your birthday

Third surprise – and the most special one of all. =)

Was whisked off to the Fullerton Hotel with instructions to simply ‘bring a nice dress’.

Got dressed and was then sent down for champagne in the lounge. =) Got back to the suite, and all my friends started showing up! <3

It was Jaslyn’s birthday too!

Am truly blessed. Thank you to all of you for making this happen! +)

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We gon’ party like it’s your birthday

Second surprise – they literally jumped out of a bush to surprise me!

Went with the old buddy for one of our favourite things to eat – ma la hotpot! – and made our way to East Coast after for drinks. Unbeknownst to me, the gang was already in on this, and they prepped a table, lit the candle on the cake, and hid in the bushes, ready to spring when I saw the cake. However, blur as I am, I walked right past the table and didn’t see anything! Fail. They still jumped out though, because I almost walked past where they were hiding! Gotta love my friends. =)

Can’t believe I walked right past this! 

Thank you, buddies!

Dress (sample piece for maryjulian) | Bracelets from Jipaban |

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Go shawty, it’s your birthday

I turned a year older and wiser on the 6th of April, and I’ve been so blessed to have had a whole slew of celebrations with family & friends (still ongoing too!). On top of that, quite a few celebrations were surprise ones, so to everyone who took the time and the trouble, thank you so much for your love.

It started with this little surprise from Chloe & Joanne, two days before my birthday.

Bear with me – many more birthday posts to come! =p

Zara tee | Uniqlo skinnies | Zapatos heels | Rolex watch | Accessori bracelets from Jipaban |

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West Village Wandering

Hung out at NYC’s West Village with the cousin, and it has a very different feel from a lot of the very neatly-formed grid system in most other parts of Manhattan. Love the quaint, somewhat ‘untidy’ charm of the oddly-angled streets, the shopping’s fantastic, and the bars, cafes & restaurants in the area are pretty cool. =)

We started at this cute little coffee shop called Bee’s Knees, because C needed her java and I needed something sweet. (I don’t know why I am idiotically not looking at the camera, lol.)

The joint is small and cozy, with seating options consisting of just a bar counter by the window, or an angled\roundish-shaped communal table. I had their signature dessert, the Cake-cup. Picked the Red Velvet one, although it was such a close fight between that and the Salted Chocolate Caramel as I love my chocolate (tough life, heh).  It was delish!

We spent the rest of the day wandering around the shops, stopping for a drink at this super cute place called Elephant & Castle, which incidentally is also the name of a major junction in London.

The aimless wandering (amidst a LOT of chatter & gossip) brought us to Magnolia Bakery, which I remember coming to over ten years ago, on my first trip to the Big Apple, Sex & the City crazed fan that I was.

It was just before Easter Sunday, and they had the prettiest Easter cupcakes – of course I had to buy some!maryjulian Ombre Denim Shirt; similar here | Knit faux fur cardi from HK | MNG sports-inspired skirt | Uniqlo knit tights | Accessori necklace (coming soon) |

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