Namaste in India

Finally !! Am going to write about my traveling experience ;) I chose India to start as this is one of my most enriching moments. Have always wanted to visit one of the 7 wonders of the world, Taj Mahal - Temple of Love. How sweet is that name <3

For those who would like to visit India one day, I highly recommend you to hire a driver to bring you around. Trust me, this is so much easier and much safer. We paid EUR210 for a driver to take us around the entire 6days in a Tata Indigo (medium range car). That's really a good price, the driver is with us from the start of the day till we retire back to our room.

First stop after 3.5hrs drive straight from Delhi airport to Agra.

Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah - Yamuna River, Agra,

Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Often described as 'jewel box'. The tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Tāj Mahal, sometimes people call it the "Baby Taj"! I'll let you judge if it resembles the Taj Mahal ;)

That's how it looks inside

That's one lovely piece of work !!

Next up on my planning, highlight of this trip - the masterpiece !

No jokes guys, I literally held my breath standing in front of this beauty!! Am not sure I did justice by putting this picture but it is just magnificent! Being here, how could we not talk about the touching love story behind one of the best UNESCO world heritage site.

Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Shah Jahan, emperor during the period of greatest prosperity, was grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian princess, died during the birth of their 14th child. Yes Right, 14th ;p

The plinth and tomb took roughly 12 years to complete. The remaining parts of the complex took an additional 10 years and were completed in order of minarets, mosque and jawab, and gateway. It was constructed using materials from all over India and Asia and over 1,000 elephants were used to transport building materials. A labour force of twenty thousand workers was recruited across northern India. The guide told us that in order to prevent replication, an order was given to chop off the hands of 20,000 workers. OMG !!

The gate to enter Taj Mahal

Emperor Shah described the Taj in these words....
Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.

Best way to end a day filled with love is to have dinner in the most romantic and luxury hotel in Agra, Oberoi Amarvilas - Esphehan.

This is indeed an amazing hotel...

Never judge a dish by its looks, this is amazingly delicious!! Greenish paste came from asparagus and broccoli

Before going to India, I never liked Indian food. After this first night, I never looked back. Haha !!

I want you to draw me like one of your french girls, wearing this, wearing only this.... :p

On the road again, making our way to Jaipur.

On the way to Jaipur, we made a stop at Fatehpur Sikri

My shoes are super comfy... 13pound from ASOS and it's made in Italy.. !!

Welcome to India !!

Last stop before arriving in Jaipur is to visit the Abhaneri Stepwell. Stepwells are wells or ponds in which the water may be reached by descending a set of steps. They may be covered and protected and are often of architectural significance. They also may be multi-storied having a bullock which turns the water wheel to raise the water in the well to the first or second floor. They are most common in western India. This is really interesting for me ;)

L

It was a long and tiring day, we totally deserve another amazing dinner at Rambagh Palace, Suvarna Mahal.

The cute waiter

That's how it looks in the restaurant, super posh !!

Printed jeans from ASOS

The water palace

Amber Fort and Palace

Next up is one of my favorite part, getting up close and personal with the gentle giants ;)

Gonna look pretty before riding on them ;)

So... How do I look ?? ;)

Now its time to show my talent.. haha.. Ingredients used are all made from plants, no harm to my friends ;)

Tada !!!

Time to say bye to my lovely friends!!

How is my OOTD ;) Top - from India market

Galta Gorge - Sun Temple

Ended our trip with a great dinner at the Bukhara restaurant (rated one of the restaurant to dine in before you die), even Bill Clinton has been there before!! Try it when you are in Delhi next time !

Little surprise from him.. So sweet !!

My trip to India was back in 2012, last night in Delhi was also when the tragic gang rape happened. It kind of scares me when I think about it, especially with all other incidents which followed after. Having said that, people I met throughout the trip are all nice and friendly. Working hard each day trying to make ends meet, trying to survive and trying to maintain their families. It was truly an experience visiting India, to see the extreme ends of rich versus the poor living in 1 country.
The only regret I have is that we didn't managed to visit Gandhi Smriti, the great teacher of all time.

The world would be a better place if we have more people like him. As he says:

“There are Seven Deadly Social Sins:
Politics without principle.
Wealth without work.
Commerce without morality.
Pleasure without conscience.
Education without character.
Science without humility.
Worship without sacrifice.”

Hope you like my travel post ;) If you are traveling to India and would like some tips, feel free to drop me a message !! Till the next one, wishing you guys an early HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR ! GONG XI FA CAI !  Xoxo

ASOS Craze !

How is your week so far? Thank god it's Friday tomorrow! Have not posted anything for more than a week, am completely exhausted from my night classes especially with the assignments coming up.. Getting old, haha.. Lunar New Year is coming real soon, I can already hear the footsteps of Cai Shen!! Hope you have got the new clothes ready for a brand new start ;) I figured out the easiest post will be on outfits, let the pictures do the talking!! Hope I can give you some ideas on what to wear for this Chinese New Year !

Sheer top with stripe - H&M, Soft Peg Raspberry Trousers with pleat detail - ASOS, Wrap wedges - Charles&Keith

Searched through my order history and this comfortable trousers costs me 7.50pound only!! So freaking cheap right!! Free delivery worldwide with no minimum purchase. So what's my favorite online shopping stop - ASOS !! Go on, check it out ! Though it won't be on time for CNY, but come on, we always have 1001 excuses to shop!! :p

What do you guys think about this simple black jumper ?? Exclusively by my amazing MUM ;) One and only piece !! Loving it !

Next up, last Friday's OOTD ! Nightout with my girlies to celebrate my belated birthday.

Butterfly top - Zara, White low waist jeans - ASOS, Heels - Nine West

Pardon my pictures, that's how it looks when my OOTD photographer is not there ;p

Showered with gifts from them !! Thank you girls !! Love them all <3

The lovely 3...

So the night ended with .....

Happy Friday All !! Have a great weekend!!
Let's target to have 1 more post this weekend. Oh, and can't wait to show you my first design.. Assignment name: French Renaissance.. ;) bisous...
Do you know it is Paris Fashion Week now..... Missing this city!!

My Make-up Secrets

Hey Guys,

What's up !! Hope you had a great week. My week has been super tiring yet interesting. Maybe I am taking up too much... Full time job, part time studies in fashion designing, part time blogger, full time mummy for Denver and squeezing time to think of new designs... Not forgetting the frequent checking of all available social medias!! OMG, I am exhausted.. Having said that, I am really enjoying my classes. No complaints, no complaints...
With this super tight schedule, I managed to take some time-off during lunch for the most relaxing "retail-therapy". When it comes to make-up and skin-care, you know what is the tip? Buy little but buy often.. Never buy everything at one go, can you imagine when everything finishes at the same time?? You are going to burn a big hole in your pocket. @-@

Here you are, my little purchases..

miniature perfumes are for decorations only.. haha

Introducing my find, Yves Saint Laurent "Top Secret" Lip & Contour shaper.

Selling at 55SGD

No surprise, it comes with the easy applicator

I have really super dry lips. For those who know me you must know that I love peeling my lips, especially when I am nervous. Tried this just once and I can feel instant results!!
Sick of the fine lines you see after applying your matte lipstick, try this! It is supposed to plumps lips and redefines the lip contour, offering comfort, definition and radiance. Sugar extract from beech wood capable of boosting glycosaminoglycan production, to restore balance to lip volume from the inside and produce visible plumping.

Use it as a primer or even on its own. The salesperson told me it's good for cold weather too! Have I mentioned that it smells amazing!! I love it, so try it! ;)

Nextup, my all time favorite under-eye concealer

Selling at 42SGD

I am using the "Ginger" tone

If I can only choose 1 makeup, that will be my concealer. Right, I say that after doing my eyebrow embroidery ;p
My dark circles and puffiness are quite bad, doesn't help with the sinus problem though. Tried many brands like: Mac, Shu Uemura, Anna Sui, Bobbi Brown, etc. I would say Anna Sui is not too bad, but it's not convenient to buy this in Singapore. After trying NARS, am addicted to it. This is my 5th tube! It's creamy, good coverage yet not too thick so it doesn't look cakey. Good texture, not dry and you don't have to worry seeing those fine lines ;)

NARS radiant creamy concealer is a multi-action formula that instantly obscures imperfections, blur lines and wrinkles, hides dark circles and signs of fatigue, hydrating and luxuriously smooth ! x

 Final recommendation, am sure you have heard about it. The famous meteorites balls !!

Love this to the max! Smells good, looks good and it gives you an natural radiant looking skin. I dislike using foundation, powder or liquid. I have been using loose powder or bronzer for my daily makeup, tried many brands and always find myself going back to this. If you have never try this before, make sure you put it in your next month's purchase list !

“The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.”
― Yves Saint-Laurent

Hope you like my recommendations. ;) Any good products to share with me? Leave a comment!

Some updates on my school. First 2 modules on textile printing and basic apparel design. Did textile printing during my school days so there is nothing new about this. Basic apparel design class really gets my adrenaline running. From research on any pictures I like, to sketches, to illustrations and the ultimate technical flats drawings, all these sound so cool to me!! Can't wait to share with you my drawings after 9weeks !! woot woot...
Really wanted to blog about my trip to India, hope I have time to do it soon.

Till the next one, keep me in your mind !! xoxo..

Oh, and here's a picture of my beloved Denver and his new toy !!

We name the new toy "Big Eyes" @-@

Have a nice weekend !!