Graduation

Hi everyone! It's been a very very long time since I last blogged and I just wanted to clear up why I haven't blogged and the reasons behind my hiatus. Since the beginning of this blog, I've always treated it as a hobby and just something I loved to do outside of school, but I found as my my school workload and deadlines were increasing, my interest in the blog was slowly fading. Instead of posting regularly with genuine content which I wanted to blog about, I decided to stop blogging as I only wanted to have posts that reflected honest thoughts. However, having recently graduated, I've had a lot more time on my hands and I've really missed blogging so I'm back for now! I thought I'd kick off my post with what I recently wore to graduation. Call me the poster child for procrastination as I leave everything to the last minute, so of course it was no surprise I only ordered my graduation dress a week before grad, resulting in frantic stress attacks that my dress wouldn't come on time for graduation.

I kept my look pretty minimal, from the minimal colour scheme of just gold and red to the minimal make up. However, I was really pleased with how I styled this look, as I found a necklace to accompany my gold clutch, which gave me very anthropologie vibes.

Shopbop gown; Clutch and necklace from India; 

Stay tuned for many more posts to come!!

black and white

outfit: Bag (The Editor's Market), Hat (Nike), Top (American Apparel), Shorts (Boutique in Switzerland), Shoes (Nike), Watch c/o Kapten & Son

A very impromptu shoot, these photos were just taken right by my neighbourhood park on a lazy Saturday afternoon. I decided to keep to a very minimalistic look and stuck with black and white tones when choosing which outfit to wear for this shoot. I love this outfit because it's perfect to battle Singapore's humidity, with a touch of practicality infused with style.

A majority of the brands I'm wearing in this outfit are from Nike, which I've been wearing a lot of lately as I've been loving a more sporty look. This relates to Nikes by Frank Ocean, a song I have been religiously listening to since Frank Ocean's new album came out.

Kapten & Son was kind enough to send me one of their beautiful watches to try, so I picked the "Brown Croco Leather" strap, which suits as a versatile and stylish accessory. Prior to trying the watch on, I was worried the watch would be too big but it fits perfectly and has a snug fit. Trying on the watch, I couldn't be happier with my pick. They look so nice on the hand, in addition to being pretty light. I would honestly recommend going on their website if you are looking for a watch as they come with a myriad of styles and swatches to choose from. 

What do you think of this outfit?

Head down to Kapten & Son's website to take a look at some of their beautiful watches

pictures c/o Shukura

fall/winter favourites

Although  I cannot experience winter or fall in the tropics of Singapore, I like to think I can vicariously live through these seasons through Tumblr and Pinterest.

Some essentials for the fall/winter
1. Bomber Jacket: Over the summer, I noticed bomber jackets dominating street style, sporting a range of different prints. Transitioning to autumn/winter, bomber jackets would look great with just about anything. Not only are they stylish, they are most importantly practical as well.

2. Velvet Boots: I've been loving velvet boots and dream of the day when I can live in a country cold enough to be able to sport these shoes.

3. Turtlenecks: Turtlenecks are a staple item for fall and winter. They've been a long-time favourite of mine and you can wear them with practically anything. Personally, I like going to Zara to buy mine but you can find them anywhere.

4. Beauty essentials: I cannot express how lifesaving Lipbalm and Moisturizer are for winter. Coming from Singapore to a cold country, I have often found it difficult to adjust to the cold, and my face dries out pretty quickly. Having a moisturizer brings back the life to your face and it is honestly so useful. My favourites are the "Burt's Bees" chapsticks, the "Kiehl's" eye cream and the Clinique moisturizer.

2015 Christmas Guide

With Christmas a week away, the hoard of last-minute christmas shoppers flocking to every mall out there (basically, me) is at its all-time peak. I always find it really difficult to buy Christmas gifts for people and end up searching for christmas gift-guides on google to help make my gift shopping easier. This guide will hopefully do the same for all you last-minute shoppers.

Halloween lookbooks with Zalora

ZALORA OUTLET

links from left to right// Dress, Shoes, Hat, Dress

As Halloween is quickly creeping by, it is essential to find the perfect halloween look, be it to a halloween party or on a more traditional route, the good ol' "trick or treat". Every year, I love searching for the perfect halloween outfit,  dressing up as Wednesday Addams from the Addams Family last year (check out how I wore the outfit on my instagram). If you haven't heard of Wednesday Addams, I highly encourage to search her up now. Known for her gothic and witch-like look consisting of two pigtails, knee high socks and peter pan collars, I have taken a stylish spin on her classic look, shown above. 

Who doesn't love a classic LBD? The lace dress on the left is perfect for a party, and coupled with the Valentino look-alike shoes, creates the most stylish halloween outfit out there. It encompasses both a gothic and classic feel. For a more traditional "Wednesday Adams" look, try out the dress on the right. Sporting the collars that Wednesday is famously known for, you will be easily recognisable in the look. Pair it with black knee high socks, a black fedora, any black shoes and you are ready to go!

links from left to right// Dress, Shoes, Hat, Bag

Instead of opting for your typical dark and scary outfits this halloween, go nautical for Halloween! A bright contrast against the first all-black look, this look is more girly and easier to style. Need that orange halloween bag to store all your candy when you're trick or treating? Substitute that instead with a bucket bag, like the one above. 

Loving the looks? Check out Zalora's website for more. They house a multitude of unique brands, ranging from high street brands like Topshop, River Island to their very own label. 

wishlist

From Top left to bottom right:  3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Bag, Midori Bikini, Chanel Espadrilles, Nike Roshe's, Daniel Wellington Watch, Cartier Love Bracelet, Lolita book, China Rich Girlfriend book.

A good book

Although taking IB at school (International baccalaureate) doesn't exactly provide me with the leisure time I used to have, I can always make room for a good book- especially during days like these in Singapore where torrential rain occurs on a typical basis, proving to be the perfect backdrop to cozy in my room and read. Currently, Lolita and China Rich Girlfriend are on my book list, after only reading good reviews about them.

Shoes

When it comes to shoes, I'm all about comfort and casual wear; give me flip flops over heels any day. These Nike Roshe's are perfect to walk around the city in- be it the gym to traipsing around the streets. The espadrilles exude the quintessential nautical summer look, which in this case is all year round in Singapore, and their canvas cut keep your look relaxed.

Accessories

Call me late to the bandwagon, but I simply couldn't resist this watch trend. It looks classy and elegant, accentuated by the rose gold accents. There is a high chance I won't be owning the Cartier love bracelet anytime soon, but a girl can dream.

Bag + Bikini

The days of Triangl bikinis are long gone, with a new bikini trend on the loose. I can't find a fitting caption to describe the trend; think of an extremely cropped tank top with a hole in the middle. It's a refreshing take to your typical triangle shaped bikini, my favourite design being the ones by the bikini brand Midori. The Phillip Lim Pashli is a bag I've been coveting for a while, with its functional yet distinctive gold hints making the bag perfect from day to night. 

What's on your wish list?

IMPORTANT: After an amazing run of blogging for four years, Eli will sadly no longer be blogging with The Green Raybans because of other interests! It's been an amazing few years ♡

summer series: trends

As part of our summer series for the blog, we'll be covering the ultimate summer guide, from outfits to trends. We've kicked off the first segment of the series with my favourite trends for the summer, and how to style the trend. 

SHOES: I don't tend to favour closed shoes during the intense heat of the summer, and tend to opt towards open toed shoes, preferably sandals. Sandals are inarguably my most used shoes. I use them whenever I go out, and they encapsulate the perfect city girl look. This summer, strapped shoes will definitely serve as an essential shoe in my wardrobe. Bloggers like Aimee Song,  Drea Chong and many many more have already donned this shoe trend, the intricate detailing of the shoes edging up any outfit. The shoes are cute and practical. What's not to love? Only problem? Wear them for too long and you'll face an uncomfortable aftermath of painful blisters (a lesson I learnt the hard way last summer). But hey, a girl's gotta suffer for fashion sometimes. Add a cute halter neck, flared skirt and retro sunglasses to your shoes, conjuring up the perfect summer look.
WHEN TO WEAR: A  sunny summer day

SHIRTS: I don't own any off-the-shoulder tops, however it's been on my mind to buy one for quite a while. They exude both femininity and elegance,  proving to be a big step up from the usual summer crop tops. The look I compiled above was very Kendall Jenner inspired; the crisp and fairly plain outfit  is perfect for a day out or a night out.  When it comes to glasses, I've been obsessed with Quay glasses. Each piece has intricate and quirky designs, and there's just too many designs I've been coveting from the store. 

WHEN: For those cooler summer days or for a night out.

DENIM: I wouldn't really classify denim as a trend, more of a staple in every girl's closet. There are a myriad of ways to styling denim, from wearing it as jeans or to styling it as a jacket. I love wearing denim (see how I've styled denim in my recent outfit post)and I've been sporting denim even from my early childhood years. There is no such thing as too much denim. Stack denim upon denim, and what will you get? The perfect summer outfit.

What trend do you like the most?

TGR picks from NYFW

This post is long overdue as NYFW was almost a month ago, but below are my favourite looks from fashion week. Whilst I was looking at the collections, I noticed that florals were a reoccurring trend in the collections, creating a very fresh and summer-y look to try and bring back traces of the summer. Some favourites of mine included Tanya Taylor and Rebecca Minkoff as their collections managed to portray the classic summer look. The looks at Michael Kors were classic and feminine with the dewy and fresh-faced models donning very fresh clothes. What I loved most about the Rebecca Minkoff collection was that the clothes were extremely wearable. The floppy hat was a must-have staple for me in the summer providing some extra flair to any outfit and most importantly sun protection so it was nice to see it incorporated into the models' outfits.

Edgy designs, clothing with an attitude and rocker models are what comes to mind when I think of DKNY, and it was no exception this time. Their collection was eclectic and the models donned neck chokers, giving off a very street vibe. DKNY definitely managed to capture city looks into this collection, excelling at what the brand does best. Swaying away from the rocker city girl look, comes the elegant and stylish city woman which is exactly what Alice and Olivia's collection captured. The designer took a modern spin on inspiration from the 70s and 50s for her collection. Some favourites of mine included high waisted pants and tea dresses, all in fresh cream hues. My motto when it comes to Alexander Wang is that he can do no wrong which is what he definitely did this time. Although I was a bit skeptical when I read that his motif was recreating famous sport shoes styles into clothing, he managed to skilfully pull of what could have been a disaster. The edgy mini skirts made the collection ultra cool his collection illustrated a fearless city girl.

What were your favourite looks from fashion week?

xoxo

Nicole

exploring haji lane

Top: Topshop| Skirt: Urban Outfitters (gifted from a friend)| Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs|Shoes: Charles & Keith| Necklace: Topshop| Sunnies: Topshop

Summer has finally arrived and I couldn't be more happier! During my two-month break, I'll be hiking in Ladakh for two weeks with my school, then flying to London and New York.I am beyond excited and can't wait to share my experience up on the blog!This is one of my first proper outfit posts on the blog (as you can probably tell by cringey cliched poses) and what better place for it take than Haji Lane. Haji lane is a perfect gem to find quirky and stylish clothing, ranging from boutiques to local blogshops.  It is by far one of the most unique shopping experiences  that you will find and enjoy in Singapore, and also one of my favourite places to go to. While in Haji Lane, I love to take a look at a variety of blogshops including Crayon which is my go-to shop there, housing brands like Minkpink, Motel and more. On my outfit, I am wearing my favourite skirt of the moment. This monochromatic skirt is super versatile and may I mention super comfy (?!) which is always a bonus. It slightly flares sideways giving it quite a retro-look, and what I like most about it is that it has a 60s vibe to it. I got this Marc Jacobs bag as a birthday present last year and it is definitely my most used staple item. From going to the movies or going to the park, this bag has been worn everywhere. While choosing my outfit, I tried to keep it quite simple in terms of colour coordination as I only wore black and white. I love this statement necklace from topshop because it can spice up any plain outfit and make it more appealing.

These photos were taken by my talented mum and you can check out her photography page here!

Let me know whether or not you'd like to see more outfit posts in the future in the comments below!

xoxo

Nicole

Spring Favourites

All items linked here.

I think I have already made myself clear on the fact that I adore spring. It is the most perfect season of the year. One of things I cherish most when it comes to spring is the undeniably gorgeous spring fashion. Every year we are bombarded with interesting, we'll-probably-regret-this-in-fall trends, for example the  sartorial return of the Birkenstock. However, the heavens did bless us with some lavish fashions for the lavish season. Kimonos, camis and cropped knits are definitely some of my favourites. Pair any of the above with a pair of boyfriend jeans, sneakers and pastel accessories and consider me, your number one style fan. And the best way to tie all of these stunning garments together, is with a  eye-catching, statement making necklace.

You might be thinking, "What?! Sneakers, boyfriend jeans and loose flowing kimonos, I'll look like a boy!", but fret not. The most beautiful thing about all of these masculine, baggy pieces, is that the colour palette for spring is ultra feminine. Baby blue, blush, pastel green and lilac are everywhere, transforming the somewhat androgynous look into a springtime fairy.

Hope you enjoyed this short post, have a great Easter holiday!

CNY GUIDE: Oriental red

items linked 

Chinese New Year plays a huge role of significance in both Singapore and all across Asia. So being half Chinese, it is a major celebration for me. Chinese New Year isn't only about receiving red packets of money (I'm not complaining), but toasting and celebrating to a prosperous new year through eating excessive amounts of delicious food and dressing up for the occasion. Red and gold are traditional colours to wear in this festival, so dressing in these colours are very important. Above, I have compiled an oriental staple of accessories and make up to fuel your inspiration on what to accessorise your outfits   with for those who celebrate CNY. Be it a Kenzo 'eye'-phone case, or a pair of gorgeous red pumps, there is always a way to dress stylishly and brighten your outfit with the right accessories and make up.

winter grey essentials

items linked here

As winter is beckoning for most of us (unfortunately though not here in Singapore), there is a new season to dress for. I spend a vast majority of my christmases in snow so winter clothing for me essentially consists of anything warm, snuggly, and extremely comfortable. This basically equates to sweatpants, Uggs and wooly beanies. I'm not a huge believer on dressing for style during winter-comfort is my number one priority. I believe that bold colours naturally aren't a good colour to dress for during this season, as they are obnoxious and can come across as too bold for this season. More subdued colour palettes like black and grey are always a softer and more tone-downed option. Above, I have compiled a few essentials that everyone during this winter needs: uggs, sweatpants, a wooly beanie and scarf, and some warm and oversized shirts.

What are your favourite colours to dress with during winter?

xoxo

Nicole

Tickled Pink

This years fall and winter collections have been drenched with my favourite colour, pink. From dusty roses to blushed hues, on everything from wooly coats to fur stoles to slip dresses, pink has taken over the runways. Spotted at Topshop Unique, Carven, Moschino and many more shows, designers have taken this colour usually reserved to spring and summer and translated it swiftly into the fall/winter wardrobes that we will soon exhibit. Because the past seasons were ruled by the monochrome look, colours are all the rage this fall/winter. Paired with greys and blacks, a pop of pink can add a feminine twist to what would be a bland winter outfit. Pastel pink outerwear is making a big statement. Its the easiest way to wear the trend, just throw it over any outfit and you're good to go!

Tell me what you think of this trend below!+ make sure you have entered the giveaway!

Birthday Wishes

Links to all items here.

Hi, hope you're well, with my birthday coming up I thought it was about time with a wish list!

1. Blouse from Odd Molly - These blouses are literally the sweetest thing I've seen! They are feminine, simple and pretty and I would absolutely love to have one of these.

2. Cashmere Burberry Scarf - As winter is quietly approaching us, scarves are becoming an everyday staple for me. Because of their bold print and neutral colors, these scarves are to die for!

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Watch - Classy, chic and feminine. A good watch is an essential for everyone, so why not get one that's absolutely perfect for you?

4. Ugg Boots - Although these boots may not be the most beautiful of winter footwear, they are so comfy! When you have to walk to school in -20 degree weather, warm boots are an essential.

5. Louis Vuitton Speedy - This bag is the most iconic and classic bag from Louis Vuitton! Everything about it is perfection. It is the quintessential bag for every bag-lover.

6.  Moschino iPhone case - Because who doesn't want a cute pink teddy bear on their phone?!

I hope you guys enjoyed this quick post, tell me what you got/want for your birthday! Make sure you have entered the giveaway: here!

my favourite fashion reads

 1. Grace: A memoir by Grace Coddington:

I first got to know about Grace properly after watching The September Issue, a movie documenting the hectic life for VOGUE workers in the September Issue. I had known that she played an important role in this fashion industry, but didn't realise what a huge impact she had up until then. One of my muses that I look up to right now will definitely be Grace. She manages to creates this fantasy world behind her wonderfully magical and breathtaking images, which is a rare gem to now find. I have to admit that I've never been a huge fan of reading memoirs, but this book is definitely an exception. I would definitely recommend this book for people who want to work in the fashion industry, or want an insider into one of fashion's biggest icons.

2. Front Row: Anna Wintour by Jerry Oppenheimer:
Anna Wintour is without a doubt the most influential style icon that has rocketed the fashion world. Earning the distinguished and highly repspectable title as VOGUE's editor in chief, she plays an immensely important role in the industry and literally has control over this 200 billion-dollar industry at the palm of her hand through her decisions. "If fashion was a church, she would be the high pope." But of course, she never started off  with this power. This profile on Anna chronicles her hard struggles and her hungry determination of working her way up towards becoming the editor in chief of VOGUE. Front Row reveals Anna's cold and autocratic demeanour, which has also given her a reputation as "Nuclear Wintour". I highly respect Anna despite her stony reputation, and will always see her as fashion's most important figure.

 3. Rookie/Yearbook One by Tavi Gevinson:

This is not your average, stereotypical teenage girl guidebook, although the name makes your believe it.A fashion/teenage girl bible is more of a better description. From "how to" tips, to glossy fashion spreads and very relatable articles, this book covers almost everything a girl would want to read about.The book was compiled together by a bunch of teenage girls, and is unbiasedly honest. 

4. The devil wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger:

Being one of my favourite movies and books, this book is an all-time fashion classic. It is hilarious and witty, and I would definitely recommend this to fashion fanatics.

What's your favourite fashion book?

The September Issue.

The much-anticipated September Issues are finally out in stores, much to our delight and excitement. A while back, I watched a really interesting fashion movie documenting an exclusive insight and behind-the-scenes into the hectic life of a fashion employee working for American Vogue. Many of you will recognise this movie as "The September Issue". Amidst all the very interesting quotes in the documentary, one of the quotes stood out for me.

Although this quote is very simple, it proves to be insanely accurate. In January, new resolutions and trends are made to achieve, and  September is similar in that way. In September, fashion magazines aim to release their biggest issue yet (think: the size of a telephone book) and release the hottest trends for this upcoming fall/winter. And although this doesn't apply to me, September is back-to-school for most students, becoming a month of new beginnings and fresh starts.

America's biggest it-girls (and guys) like Blake Lively, Kate Upton, One Direction and more grace some of my favourite September covers this month. Although I love reading most of the September Issues, US VOGUE is definitely and will always be the highlight for me (This years issue boasts an impressive 902 pages)!

What cover did you like the most and which magazine did you enjoy reading?

 The Green Raybans turns 2 in 4 days time! If you have any questions or just anything you want to know, you can email us @ thegreenraybans.gmail.com

Summer Shoes

Shoes in the summer are always the best. As oppose to bulky winter boots, summer shoes are always so bright, adventurous, and fun. Here are some of my favourites:

1. Charlotte Olympia Libra Flats are perfect for when you want to make a statement, and let everyone know what star sign you are. Obviously since we aren't all a Libra, Charlotte Olympia kindly made different flats for every star sign!  

2. This years It shoe has definitely got to be the Valentino Rockstud Pump. The bright pop of pink add a feminine twist to the edgy studded pumps.

3. The Kate Spade Licorice Patent Heel is the best way to add neon to any boring summer outfit. The classic silhouette of the shoe, mixed with the fluorescent hue is the best way to incorporate the neon trend into your summer wardrobe.

4. Isabel Marant Elvis Sandals are a interesting and eye catching pair of sandals. The chunky heel, studs, and bohemian feel make them the quintessential summer sandal. 

5. For those who don't want to show off their toes during the summer, these Isabel Marant sneakers are perfect. When you want to go for a casual vibe these sneakers are a great way to add height, and comfort. 

6. Tory Burch Emmy Sandals are great for when you're going to the beach, because unlike Katy Perry, we do mind sand in our stilettos! They are the typical summer shoe, and a great alternative to your old Havaianas. 

7. Nude high heeled sandals like these BCBG ones are an essential in summer. Whether you are shopping with friends, or going for a formal dinner, heeled sandals will always be of use. Plus, they are so pretty! 

8. A post on summer shoes isn't complete without the Jimmy Choo Lance Sandals. These sandals are the ultimate summer shoes. The colour, the style, the designer. These shoes are just fabulous.