Serene Sanctuary

Beauty

There are days when you need to break away from it all and just simply unwind. Within the prestigious Sentosa Cove is the AWAY spa located in the stylish W Singapore Hotel. Luxurious and tranquil at the same time, this spa is designed to calm your mind and to treat your body right.

There is no way you are walking out of this luxury spa without feeling fresh, rejuvenated, and truly beautiful.

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The AWAY Spa has been the recipient of many awards, and the subject of many magazine features.

They also have products that you can purchase so that you may be able to recreate your refreshing spa experience in the comfort of your own home.

Their amazing facilities are what makes them a must-visit for anyone seeking a world class spa treatments. They have a beautiful jacuzzi and vitality pool as well as sauna. Don’t leave without experiencing their nozzle room called Indulgence.

Go for an exfoliating body scrub that will leave your skin smooth and silky to the touch. After the scrub, hop in the shower and then de-stress with a 90 minute whole body massage with a fragrant rose infused oil.

The pampering doesn’t stop at their expert spa and beauty treatments, return to this calming waiting area post-treatment for a cocktail. This is the perfect way to cap off an afternoon of leisure, rest, and relaxation.

The AWAY Spa at the W Singapore is the perfect getaway. All their world class treatments put your mind at ease and detoxifies your body. 

It is hard to leave this place, but you are guaranteed to be leave with a happy face.

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The Bucket List

Latest trends

Looking to add something new to your closet this summer? The bucket bag should be at the top of your list. Here’s a roundup of 10 of the best bucket bags this season:

1. Mansur Gavriel Large Bucket Bag

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Photo credit: Moda Operandi

Here’s the bucket bag that started it all. Tanned Italian leather and minimalist design, this is the holy grail of bucket bags.

2. Sophie Anderson Nataly Woven Cotton Bucket Bag
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Photo credit: Net-a-Porter

Looking for a bohemian-inspired bucket bag? This is it. Flower crown optional.

3. Anya Hindmarch Vaughan Leather Bucket Bag

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A short tote strap and single tassel, this muted taupe bucket bag is made for ladies who lunch.

4. Balenciaga Papier Drop Leather Bucket Bag

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Photo credit: MyTheresa

Combining two it bags in one design, bucket bag + a peekaboo Balenciaga City pocket design–it doesn’t get any better than this.

5. Tod’s Signature Big Bucket Piercing Leather Tote

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Photo credit: MyTheresa

Give it to Tod’s to release this season’s bucket bag in its most classic silhouette. This is definitely country club chic.

6. Moschino Bucket Bag

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Photo Credit: Purseholic Blog

Royal blue is the punch of color your summer outfits have been looking for. The gold hardware is a glam add-on that you can coordinate your accessories with.

7. Karl Lagerfeld Quilted Leather Bucket Bag

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Photo Credit: Net-a-Porter

Lagerfeld stays true to his classic quilted design, making a bucket bag fit for a fashion editor.

8. Alexander Wang Diego Bucket Bag

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Considered a classic by fashion renegades like Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, and Miley Cyrus, this studded beauty is for fashionistas who like to live on the edge.

9. Ines Figarido Eyes Nappa Bucket with 18 KT Gold Bag004_79635b8d-6871-4298-98b0-3a9c64d500e9

Photo Credit: Luisaviaroma

Fit for Lady Gaga, Ines Figarido takes the bucket bag and marries it to another hot trend for the season–eyes. Keep your eyes glued on this one.

10. Saint Laurent Rider Small Bucket Metallic Leather Shoulder Bag

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Photo Credit: MyTheresa

Motorcycle-jacket inspired, this Saint Laurent mini bucket bag is ideal for those days when you need that extra dose of fashion magic.

Whether you are a classic girl, a boho chick, or a rock n’ roll street style queen, there’s a bucket bag style for you.

Which one of these is your favorite? Share it with us in the comments section!

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Style Icon: Lupita Nyong’o

Style Icons

2014 has brought us a new fashion icon: Lupita Nyong’o. Her breakout role in 12 Years A Slave had her gracing award shows and red carpets worldwide. Not only is she naturally stunning, but it is quite hard to miss her regal presence on the red carpet.

Fashion magazines, editors, and industry insiders have been taking notice and constantly praising her impeccable style choices. Named People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Person of the year and the face of Prada’s S/S 2014 campaign, Lupita Nyong’o is redefining glamour and upping the ante of celebrity style with every ensemble.

Take a note and get inspired, here are 8 of Lupita’s best looks:

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Photo credits: Vogue.co.uk

This uber chic jumpsuit reaffirms the timeless albeit underrated elegance of the color navy. 

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Photo credits: Elleuk.com

One of the best looks during the 2014 Oscars, this pretty much cemented Lupita’s new style icon status. The delicate pleats on her powder blue Prada gown is the very picture of understated sophistication. A true style coup.

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Photo credits: Vanityfair.com

Pulling off one of spring’s most daring trends, culottes, in a daring print is not a feat to be sniffed at. This SUNO outfit is proof that fashion risks do pay off.

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Photo credits: Teenvogue.com

Lupita is telling you two things here. One: do not be afraid of bold colors. Two: sometimes the less accessories you wear, the better off you are.

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Photo credits: Vogue.co.uk

Take a cue from Lupita, and try a bold lip with a bright colored dress. Just make sure that your lip color is a contrasting and complementary hue.

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Photo credits: Elle UK

Rich jewel tones, like this luscious emerald green strapless gown, are best when paired with metallic accessories. Remember to keep your metals minimal and sleek like Lupita does, since the color is already a strong statement.

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Photo credits: Vogue.co.uk

Conventional fashion wisdom says do not wear the same color (unless it’s neutrals) from top to bottom. Lupita breaks that rule and comes away with an unforgettable fashion moment. You can wear a bright red orange dress, pumps, and earrings–so long as you keep your makeup natural and dewy.

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Photo credits: Vogue.co.uk

Perfect summer dress? Check. Perfect summer sandals? Check. Perfect summer accessories? Check. This is how you do black-and-white for a summer afternoon.

A new style icon to add to your fashion watch list. We all really have a lot to learn from Lupita’s bold and feminine panache. 

Have a great week!

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Easy Chic

Latest trends

People often say that the devil is in the details. That’s true for most things, especially in fashion. Accessories are the quickest way to either dress up or dress down an outfit. A basic black dress can look casual or formal depending on the shoes, purse, or jewelry added on to it. Investing in chic, timeless, and well-made accessories is a smart decision for any fashionista. These investment pieces outlast trends and are items that you will wear often and keep forever.

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Meet the little blue dress, a chic alternative to your standard black cocktail dress. Every woman has a killer LBD or “Little Black Dress” in her fashion arsenal. This dress is her go-to piece whenever she’s in a bind and has to look good, or even just whenever she wants to make an entrance. This dress has travelled, has been in countless dates and parties, and has given the woman unparalleled confidence countless times. This dress may have been a product of countless hours of shopping. It may have been a chance encounter and an impulse purchase. Regardless of the circumstance, any well-dressed woman has a beloved dress of this kind.

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These two elements – investment accessories and the new LBD, make for the perfect classic look. Fashion always changes but some pieces outlast the fleeting trends. This look is the perfect example of that. The dress comes in royal blue, a trendy color, but its sheath silhouette will remain a classic. 

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The long sterling necklace by Chanel, slate gray peep toe heels by Prada, and crocodile pattern leather bag by Furla are fashionable additions to the look that make it suitable for a party or a formal dinner. 

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Take this ensemble from dinner to a weekend getaway to New York by layering a cardigan, like this one from Giordano, and toting an elegant and durable Tumi suitcase to the airport. There’s no reason why you can’t look chic thousands of miles up in the air. 

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Mixing and matching is what makes fashion fun. So invest in the classics but keep yourself open to bright colors and bold trends—that is the key to defining your personal style. 

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Exclusive! ION insider review

Latest trends

    Good morning my beautiful readers,

   Last week, along with 4 other bloggers, I was invited to some fantastic boutiques in ION which have introduced their new collections and shared a few things about their brands. The event was organised by ION’s wonderful marketing team and sponsored by ION.

   First stop was Gusto by Alfresco Gusto. 

Alfresco Gusto

   Located just outside the Nespresso shop on Level 1, it is easy to find and offers a lively hang out place for you and your friends. You will find yourself right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Orchard road yet it is quiet enough to talk. The menu is quite extensive and features all the classics of Italian gastronomy. They also have great offers for cocktails and meals. Check out their menu and offers.

   The lovely ION team have welcomed us with a wide range of delicious platters. Here are some of the dishes:

   After having this wonderful food and doing the introduction, we have moved on to the next stop – Alice and Olivia.

Alice and Olivia

   It is a young brand yet it has done remarkably well with its collections available online and in stores in US.

   Until recently, there weren’t any stores in Asia, but Alice and Olivia has chosen ION to be the home for its first international boutique, which opened in April.

   Alice and Olivia boutique in ION has a fantastic range of clothes – from casual everyday wear to exquisite evening gown. The clothes are very feminine and have a slight 60’s vintage feel to them yet they create a very young and vibrant look.

   For me, Alice and Olivia really stands out when it comes to dresses. The sequin dresses (see below) make such a statement and have such a wonderful young feel to them, it is a real pleasure to wear a dress like that.

Yellow is the New Black

Yellow is the New Black

   When it comes to work wear, Alice and Olivia clothes are both appropriate and fun! They have many pieces like the monochrome jacked pictured below, that will bring out your personality at work without compromising your professionalism. 

Work Wear

Work Wear

   Alice and Olivia is of course very famous for their evening gowns. And if you think you don’t have a special occasion to a wear it to, get the dress first and the rest will follow. 

   As well as clothes this ION boutique offers gorgeous accessories ranging from purses to shoes. Take your pick!

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Alice and Olivia Bags and Accessories

   Head down to Alice and Olivia store if you want to bring out the child inside!

Sandro Paris

   Next stop on our agenda – Sandro boutique. Located right next to Alice and Olivia on Level 3, it is one of those shops  – you walk in and just want to buy everything. It is one of very few places in Singapore where you can get your hands on some Parisian chic pieces without breaking the bank.  

   The boutique has a great variety of clothes. They all have a Parisian feel to them, yet the style varies from classic to kinky. 

   There are some wonderful dresses that will look great on anyone regardless of age and figure type. Some are more suitable for those who want a young and sexy look like that Cut Out Back Dress and some for somebody perhaps a little more reserved (when it comes to clothes at least), like the Deep Blue + Lace Dress as an example. 

   This store is really great for jackets. There are some extravagant pieces like the White Leather Jacket with Gold Zippers and removable sleeves as well as some classics like the Soft Leather Jacket. A lot of wonderful styles to choose from.

Some more great styles below:

   What makes Sandro a one stop shop is the fact that they have an awesome men’s range as well as the women’s range. So both you and your loved one can get the latest styles together. It is couples’ shopping paradise! 

   No matter what your partner does for a living, he can choose some great outfits (or you can do it for him). A great selection of casual clothes from shorts and sweatpants to jeans awaits you in ION. If you are looking to create a more professional look to impress the boss perhaps, you can go for some classic tailored suits like that sharp grey suit pictured below.

Classic Mens Suit

Classic Mens Suit

   Lots of business trips to a cooler climate? No problem. Sandro boutique in ION has an array of jackets and rain coats for windy cool weather.

   Last but not least, accessories! At Sandro you can find some great pieces to go with the outfits like those gorgeous espadrilles that are so in trend this season. 

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Sandro Accessories

Bread and Butter

Next stop on the agenda was Bread and Butter. Bread and Butter store in ION is a true denim paradise. They stock exclusive denim from Japan and USA. Yes, turns out the Japanese are great at denim too!

   They make beautiful raw denim that is literally collectible. The raw denim is super stiff but after a short time it adjusts to exactly your body shape and repeats all your curves. That makes every pair of your raw denim a perfect fit.

   One of the coolest brand is store: Tenryo denim from US. Over time it changes colour gradually from the outside colour to indside colour. In Bread and Butter ION boutique they have a variety of colours in stock: emerald green, rich blue and burgundy red as well as gold and silver in case you want something really special.

Tenryo Denim Collection

Tenryo Denim Collection

   Another curious thing about Tenryo denim is that each piece is cut from the edge of the material known as selvage.

   So here is a tip on how to tell high quality denim from mass produced denim – only the premium quality jeans show the finished edges, most jeans are made from various parts of the fabric with the edges overlocked.

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Bread and Butter Brands

   If you already feel like a denim expert or still want to learn more check out Bread and Butter in ION.

MM6

   Our final stop was MM6 boutique. The MM6 boutique in ION is a great place to go if you are looking for some quality casuals. MM6 spring summer collection is very wearable yet has a unique style. It’s based on classic shapes and clean lines and the fact of the matter is – you cannot go wrong with that!

   In this spring summer collection MM6 has used a variety of materials from natural ones like silk and cotton to the modern synthetic ones like plastic. The one that they have used most lavishly is leather. There are a lot of leather fans that will really appreciate this collection. And I am definitely one of them. My personal favourite – the white leather panel Sweat Dress. It is an extraordinary piece that is so in trend this season. Sweatshirt + white leather + short dress = Sporty Chic.

My Personal Favourite

My Personal Favourite

   Gotta love that. Other pieces that really stood out is a long printed top and the black and white dress. They both have an MM6 feel to them and are so versatile in their design.

Here is some more of the collection:

   I have to say that I also found the accessories at MM6 very unique. When have you last seen a bag with a round shape? Not recently that is for sure! That beautiful bag that looks like Pandora’s box with a sling is also right on the trend! They also have some fun shoes in stock that look and feel extremely comfortable.

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MM6 Accessories

   MM6 boutique in ION is a perfect store for a perfectionist who loves sporty comfort with clean lines. If that sounds like you check out the MM6 boutique.

   The heart of Singapore’s fashion district and home to these wonderful boutiques as well as many more shops and restaurants ION Orchard is the place to visit.

   I hope you enjoyed my review and Happy Shopping!

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