Nereid

(maxi, Fayth / sandals, The Closet Lover / turquoise cuff, Azensg / arrow ring, Stroberi, eternity ring, Lovisa / necklace, Lovisa)

(photos by Aileen)

Before I begin: Happy 50th Birthday, Singapore!

I am ever thankful for friends who indulge me in my requests for them to help me take photos. I turn 20 this year and that's a huge milestone, for me at least, so I wanted to put more effort into this set of photos that I intended to post up on Instagram for my birthday. I spent a good part of my morning on a floating platform overlooking the sea, and had a good Eggs Benedict to sate my insatiable appetite for all things brunch.  

But moving onto this dress - I originally noticed it only because I wanted to buy it as a birthday present for a friend, but then I had to buy one for myself. It was a hasty decision made in my hostel room that involved me running to a neighbour's room to bang on her door to ask for her opinion, and I ended up buying it within five minutes. It's a really flowy fabric, printed with the most gorgeous flowers in shades of blue, and is what I imagine a nereid would like to wear.

According to Greek mythology, the Nereids are sea nymphs that symbolize everything beautiful and kind at sea.

xx

Let's Talk About Stripes

(button-up shirt, The Closet Lover / pants, The Tinsel Rack / sunnies, Japan / vintage watch, Nakedglory / boots, Miista) 

(photos by Joanna)

So... let's talk about stripes, shall we? Or stripes and button-up shirts, to be exact. I'm not sure about you, but there's just something about striped button-ups that's quite irresistible. I have another one in a looser, more relaxed fit, and whenever I can't think of anything to wear, I immediately think of these two shirts - so much that I might be neglecting everything else in my wardrobe. In any case, stripes are such a classic and elegant print that it really doesn't hurt to have a few more striped pieces in your arsenal. (Coincidentally enough, I'm wearing stripes as I type this. Stripe-ception much?) 

I had brunch with the family at Pacamara a while back, and the photo of my stack of pancakes was too gorgeous not to share. I've also really been into this pair of pants for a while now. I've stayed away from pants for many years, simply because I couldn't really find a pair that fit quite right. This pair is high-waisted and long enough (just what I love), though I do wish it would be a little more tapered at the ankle! And I'm pretty much obsessed with my new boots, because ombré, and zips. Need I say more?  

xx

The Boyfriend Shirt

(shirt, The Tinsel Rack / shorts, The Tinsel Rack / watch, Nakedglory / bag, The Tinsel Rack / shoes, Doctor Martens)

(photos by Aileen)

I've been away from this space for too long: I just came back from Montigo (check out my Instagram for snaps from the trip under the hashtag #TCLexplores), and had senior's camp immediately after. And then I had my birthday, so look out for my posts with my Montigo and birthday visuals!

There was a torrential downpour when I left the house, which made for a complete lack of motivation in dressing up. It wasn't much of an outing - just lunch, and then Lady M for divine crepes and a good catch up with a friend. But a trip to town called for looking presentable at the very least, and this is what I came up with.

There's just something to be said for a loose, over-sized button-up shirt paired with simple shorts. Rolled up sleeves, a simple matching black and silver watch, and a handy bucket bag that fits everything I need. Favourite lazy day outfit, anyone? 

xx

Blank Space

(top, Bugis Street / culottes, The Tinsel Rack / bag, Sandy Trove / sandals, The Closet Lover)

(photos by Elissa)

I'm not going to lie - I have a perpetual craving for fries, and specifically truffle fries. Before I started my summer job, I made my way down to PS Cafe (Palais Renaissance) to satisfy a craving that remains virtually unsatisfied throughout the whole school term. We had a very good meal of fries and Croque Monsieur. 

The culottes craze has also been around for quite some time, but it took me a while to commit to one. Having worn culottes for four years as part of my school uniform has not exactly left the greatest impression of culottes in my mind; I vaguely recall them to be rather unflattering. When I saw this pair of striped culottes, I decided to take the plunge, because really, stripes? Need I say more? Stripes are a pretty classic print, and they were probably the deal-breaker that tilted me over to the dark side of accepting culottes into my wardrobe. In any case, I paired my culottes with a black cropped top, white sandals and a black bag for a minimalist, sleek look, and the monochromatic pairing is a combination which I daresay is one of the best combinations anybody could ever dream of putting together

xx

Avalon

(bralet, The Tinsel Rack / skirts, Love Bonito / bucket bag, The Tinsel Rack / sandals, The Closet Lover / necklace, Japan / cuff, Azensg / rings, Lovisa)

(photos by Stephanie)

As a child, I was constantly fascinated by the abridged versions of the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and when I saw this skirt, those stories were strangely the only thing I could think of. The forest and lake print on the skirt reminded me of the lake in Avalon that Excalibur was thrown into, and I wore a miniature Excalibur around my neck in the form of a sword-shaped pendant, just as an inside joke to myself.  

I'm pretty much infatuated with the magical forest print on the skirt (not to mention the A-line cut), and it called for silver-toned accessories and a dark blue bralet to mimic the still waters of the lake - now I'm just waxing lyrical about the skirt, but perhaps it doesn't seem too much of an exaggeration to say that staring at the print almost takes me into another world (Avalon, yes). 

In other news, the cafe of the day was Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters, where ironically, we did not drink coffee, but instead had the Breakfast Platter, Sweet Potato Fries, and Key Lime Soda to share. The fries were done just right, and the food was good enough to leave me wanting to go there for a second time.

xx

Black Widow

(top, The Tinsel Rack / skirt, Dressabelle / bag, Sandy Trove / shoes, Nakedglory / boots, Topshop / necklace, Lovisa) (photos by MK)
Back to basic blacks (what a tongue-twister), and then again, I don't suppose there could ever be anything wrong with wearing black. When things get a little monotonous it's nice to throw in some detail, like a lace-overlay skirt and leather booties, to skirt the boundary of boring. I had to include a photo of my new Casio watch from Nakedglory (it's technically not so new anymore, seeing as I took these photos months ago); I've been in the throes of watch-lust for quite some time yet, though really I can't quite keep up with expenditure on both clothes and watches, so I think that lust will have to burn for a little while longer. And a crystal quartz necklace, I know, again, because I just can't stop buying quartz necklaces. I think I've mentioned before that they've become my basic go-to necklaces, and now I have just about the best excuse to buy as many as I want, because basic. 
Anyway, I just ended my finals exams for my second semester in school, which means I'm no longer a freshman, and am now moving onto my summer holidays! It feels a little startling to think that the first year in university is over already, but at least it's back to ootds for me now! I'm starting an internship somewhere soon, and it's really exciting for me, so hopefully I'll be able to take more ootds during the summer break even with work! How are y'all spending your summer holidays? xx