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?

an afternoon in tiong bahru

Top: American Apparel, Skirt: Topshop, Bag: The Editor's Market, Shoes: Kurt Geiger

(credits to the lovely Mariana)

Greetings! It's been quite a while since I last blogged (blame my exams coupled by a sheer lack of laziness) and although I keep saying it in every post, I'll definitely try to blog as regularly as possible, and share my exciting 3 month summer ahead on the blog!

These photos were taken in Tiong Bahru, a very charming neighbourhood in Singapore. There's so much to explore, from cute bakeries to it's distinctive old-style architecture. Tiong Bahru definitely beholds a charm that can't be found or replaced anywhere else in Singapore, and I would definitely recommend spending one afternoon exploring the area.

Tiong Bahru Must's:

• Stop by Plain Vanilla Bakery (pictured above): Being an avid foodie, I am always on the hunt for the best eats in town (check out my food instagram @dailyeats_sg) , and from my quest of the best cupcakes in town, Plain Vanilla has captured my heart. Their cupcakes are a must-try, and the drinks are very refreshing, a perfect place to relax in Tiong Bahru from the humid heat of Singapore.
• Take a look at BooksActually: One of the most beautiful bookstores I've stepped into, the quaint store sells all kinds of books, and you could spend hours on end flipping through the "aesthetically pleasing" (yes, there really is a category for aesthetics in the bookstore) books. 

What do you think of this outfit and have you been to Tiong Bahru before?

Spring Beauty Favourites

Flowers are blossoming and warmer winds are blowing in the air. Despite the frequent showers watering Norway, I haven't stopped myself from indulging in some new cosmetics. Many of you may be in the midst of exam season (Good Luck!), and makeup is probably not ranked as the highest priority right now, however I know these simple products were the foundation for my quick makeup routine on days when my biggest concern was what the derivative of x was. 

1. Bio Beauté by Nuxe, Mineral Foundation. To start off this post, I must begin with my new favorite powder. I bought this on a whim in a small pharmacy in the Belgian town of Namur; and it hasn't left my makeup bag since. My optimism took over when I purchased this powdered goodness, and I reached for a color slightly considerably dark for me. This little hiccup on the way to tanned summer skin has not stopped me from using the foundation, in fact it has made it even better! On days when I have an abundance of time when getting ready, I love highlighting my face (under the eyes, bridge of the nose, cupid's bow) and setting it with a lighter powder, followed by this foundation over the rest of my face; I'm then left with an effortlessly glamorous look, with minimal effort. 

2. Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara. The British equivalent to the Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara, this has been my holy grail mascara since the soft bristles first touched my lashes. Nothing says Spring! like long, fluttery lashes, and that is exactly what you achieve with this mascara. 

3. Mac Lipliner in Soar and Brick. The crazy Kylie Jenner lip craze led me to try out a makeup product well-known for its 90's past: lipliner. I had always associated the product with pictures of my mother wearing her classic makeup look from 20 years ago, I endeavored into the glorious world of lipliners. Soar and Brick have been my favorite shades, and I've used them on their own, or under lipsticks. They allow for a little lip-cheating, as well as being long lasting and giving beautiful color payoff. 

4. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Erase Primer. Under every great foundation, BB-cream, CC-cream, or tinted moisturizer application is an even better primer. This is that primer. The main purpose of primer is to prep your skin for the rest of your makeup, and for those of us who were given less than perfect skin, it is essential to keep your makeup in place all day and to make sure it glides on seamlessly to the skin. Primer is especially important as the temperatures are rising, and we're more susceptible to sweating throughout the day, making this primer an absolute spring favorite of mine. 

5. The Body Shop Vanilla Body Mist. Everyone knows floral scents for spring are groundbreaking. However, you might want to try something sweeter this spring. Vanilla is such an underrated scent; it is youthful, sweet, and who doesn't want to smell like a cupcake? To avoid smelling like Martha Stewart's kitchen opt for this body mist, as it gives a lightweight scent instead of a heavy vanilla essence-y odor.  

Hope you all have a great week, and good luck to anyone with exams! Tell me what your springtime favorite is!

xoxo,

Eli