Christmas traditions.

It's the most wonderful time of year once again!

It's not the thought of ripping the wrappers off my presents; I'm 23 going on 24, pretty much grew out of the thrill of crawling out of bed in the middle of the night and under the Christmas tree in search of the box with my name on it. It's not that people are a little bit more kinder, giving or joyous -- they aren't. The shopping frenzy is becoming more like waddling through a war zone. And it's not winter either (not that I've got to worry about that here in Singapore). I love the snow but definitely not a fan of the cold.

Nonetheless, I'm keenly aware of how super duper zuper merry this festive season makes me! I still get mesmerised walking down the streets seeing everything sparkle so prettily with my favourite fairy lights.

It's odd, isn't it? I'm a lot older; I hate shopping with the crowd; I could sing "Do you want to build a snowman?" till I croak but I ain't going to build Olaf when it doesn't snow, and yet, downright hyped for Christmas every single year. I believe it's the traditions of this season that keeps me excited. And I absolutely can't wait to start our own little traditions with my other half (when I eventually find him) year in and year out to make the holidays even more special.

Maybe it's just me, but the house doesn't feel like Christmas at all without the Christmas tree. I've always pictured how cool it'd be to go Christmas tree picking with my love while it's snowing. What better way to kick start the festive season right?! But then again, since we're living in a sunny little island, heading to the malls and choosing from a range of artificial trees would suffice too. After all, it's the company that counts!

When hunting for the perfect tree, look out for a extraordinary tree topper, one that represents a favourite memory/vacation of the both of you. Or it could be simply just be a tree topper that you two really love. 'Cause a tree topper magically completes the Christmas tree, like icing on the cake, and nothing beats completing the tree every year with someone who completes you in every way.

Once that's done, it's time to shop for presents and put them under the tree! All those years when you were single, you had to crack your brains coming up with a Christmas gift list and doing the shopping alone. Imagine all the fun you'd have snuggling up to the warmth of your favourite person and brainstorming gift ideas together. Also, you'll never have to lug those gifts home and painstakingly wrap them all by yourself ever again. No wonder they say two is better than one!

While the both of you shop for everyone else, it'll be really sweet to help each other strike an item off the wish list. So make a list and send it to the North Pole for Santa your better half!

Christmas is all about celebrating the spirit of giving -- both to those we love and those less fortunate, find a cause that the two of you strongly believe in and contribute within your means. Otherwise, round-up old/unwanted clothes and donate them to a homeless shelter or pick out toys and give them to a children's hospital. Let's share the love and give back during the holiday season. You'd be surprised at how something small can go a long way. 

I'm never contempt with buying and sending out generic greeting cards 'cause I think they lack sincerity. That can only mean one thing -- time to pull out those glue guns, scissors, all things fancy and glitter-y. Since we can't be out building Frosty the snowman and making snow angels in the backyard, there's no better way to spend time indoors with your significant other (and of course a cup of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows) hand making Christmas cards for loved ones! Let the creative juices flow!

Like log cakes and turkey, Christmas cookies have become a tradition. Baking cute little gingerbread men or Christmas themed cookies is an excellent way to get your man off the couch and into the kitchen so both of you can have some quality time. Oh, and did I mention that it could potentially start a flour war too? It's messy but nothing the joyous season can't handle!

Those Christmas cookies would make great snacks whilst the both of you curl up in bed at night, watching Christmas shows such as The Nutcracker.

I love hosting parties and it's something I see my future husband and me doing often. We've seen our mothers slaving over hot stoves and cooking up a storm in preparation of a scrumptious Christmas dinner, so it's time to return the favour.

Although cooking isn't rocket science, it can get quite tedious. Either way, the entire process from planning out the dinner menu to grocery shopping to cooking to laying the tables will be an enjoyable one with your other half. At the end of the day, the bulging bellies and happy smiles of your loved ones will make all that work worth it.

Being a Catholic, it'd mean the world to me if someday I find someone special who loves Christmas as much as I do or more, and who'll attend midnight mass with my family and me on Christmas Eve. That'd undeniably be one of the best blessings from God!

Last but not the least, Christmas is definitely the season to pucker up and be mistletoe ready with the love of your life! Ultimately, it's a time honoured tradition not to be skipped.

Photos by Ing

Editing by yours truly

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."

- Roy L. Smith

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London Weight Management.

Last Wednesday, I paid London Weight Management a visit to try out their signature 'Lavender Slimming Treatment'. What better place to go to than a slimming centre that was awarded AsiaOne People's Choice Award Best Weight Loss Provider right? Moreover, I heard the treatment uses 100% natural botanical formulations that are carefully customised for each individual 'cause everyone has different problems. I know that this probably sounds ridiculous and I foresee getting remarks like "You so skinny! What is there to slim?!" Not known to many is the fact that I was once fat slightly on the chubbs side, weighing almost 60kg. Even with my current size, I still battle with belly fats (especially at the lower abdomen) which I believe is also a major concern for most ladies.

London Weight Management has 10 outlets island wide and I chose the one at Jubilee Square since it's the nearest to my crib. The staffs were really welcoming and made sure that I was well taken care of throughout the whole 2.5 hours session. My therapist, Anne, did my body measurements and offered her professional opinion. She mentioned that instead of my belly, my problematic areas are actually my hips and thighs where there's cellulite accumulation. GASP!!! This could potentially make my already wide pelvic bone look even wider, and could get worse with pregnancy (not that I've to worry about that right now).

Aroma Steam Bath (10-15 minutes)

The aroma steam bath felt kind of like a sauna. It helps to open up pores for better product absorption later on, as well as, soften dead skin cells, calm the body and improve blood circulation.

My therapist handed me a cold wet towel to cover my face so that I could breathe properly in the steam room. How thoughtful! Word of caution, make sure that your makeup is waterproof 'cause the steam bath causes smudges.

Lavender Sea Salt Scrub Treatment (30-45 minutes)

The lavender sea salt scrub treatment comes hand-in-hand with the infra-red warm blanket. Apparently, this step is equivalent to a set of 360 sit-ups or a 4km walk. Say whuttt?! It works towards......

• Reducing water retention in the body

• Increasing our body's metabolic rate to quicken the process of fat burning

• Removing dead skin cells to give way to more radiant skin

• Increasing the body's ability to absorb subsequent products

Depending on the individual's metabolic rate, one can lose up to 2kg of excess water, wastes and fats!

I was given an ampoule which helps remove waste products followed by the sea salt scrub before I was wrapped in the infra-red warm blanket.

All wrapped up like a burrito! It was so cosy that I dozed off a couple of times. It got quite hot inside the blanket towards the end and I  was perspiring a lot.

Prior to rinsing off the remnants of the sea salt, I had to let my body temperature drop back to normal. What better way to spend my time waiting than snap a selfie?

Electric Muscle Stimulation (45 minutes)

Nothing like its scary name, the electrical muscle stimulation treatment just feels like your muscles are being squeezed. It uses trimming ampoules and electro-muscle stimulator that helps the body build lean muscle mass and quickens the body's fat-burning. This step is capable of achieving 8-22cm loss around the body instantly!

This was definitely my favourite part of the entire treatment 'cause I just felt like I was getting a gentle massage, and seems as if the machine was doing all the exercise for my body.

I was served a cup of strawberry-flavoured shake after the whole session while I waited for my body measurement results.

And the moment of truth......

Within 2.5 hours, I lost a total of 300g! You can also see the specific body measurements before and after the treatment. Two thumbs up for slimmer arms, thighs, waist and flatter belly!

I feel that London Weight Management is very professional slimming centre in Singapore and I highly recommend it. They pay attention to every little detail. See the red arrow in the photo? That's the length of my limb at which the measurement is taken. This ensures that measurements are done at the exact same region for every subsequent treatment to accurately show your progress.

Troubled by your body? Give London Weight Management a shot. No pill. No injection. No surgery. No crash diet. No exercise. No side effect. 8-22cm and up to 2kg loss guaranteed in just 1 session! I can vouch for that!

If you are looking for a fast and effective way to slim down, head on over to Sample Store to redeem a FREE treatment session exclusive for first-time female customers here. Alternatively, you may fill in your particulars here to enjoy this promotion or call 6222 1234 to book an appointment. Don't forget to mention my name/blog to them!

"The human body is the best work of art."

- Jess C. Scott

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Palette Of Sensations.

Dress: ASOS

Heels: Pedro

Bag: Michael Kors

Watch: Skagen

Bracelet & Ring: Pandora

Earrings: Diva

Dresses with revealing backs are undeniably my greatest weakness! It spices the entire outfit by adding an element of surprise. Haven't had the chance to attend any event/function that calls for such a dress in a while, so I grabbed the first opportunity I got to don one when I attended my alma mater's annual performing arts combined concert -- Palette Of Sensations.

That night I took a long stroll down memory lane. What amazes me is that it's been a good 7 years since I graduated from secondary school 'cause it almost feels like it was just yesterday. I vividly remember the days and nights I spent in the orchestra room practicing  for SYF/concerts. Fast forward 7 years, I've totally lost my skills in playing the one musical instrument I spent 4 years mastering. I guess the only thing related to music that I'll never forget is the lyrics to the school song.

And without a doubt, she's the best thing that has ever happened to me in secondary school. 11 years and counting. To many more 11 years together!

Photos by Ing

Editing by yours truly

"As has often been said, the youth who loves his Alma Mater will always ask, not 'What can she do for me?' but 'What can I do for her?'"

- Le Baron Russell Briggs

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Chic life with Clarabelle.

I'm hardly ever in the east since I've spent my whole life living in the north, but I kinda fell for the cool neighbourhood after meeting up with the super nice sisters -- Samantha and Kimberly (the brains and photographer behind Hello Weekend) in a quaint little cafe called Coast and Company. We had lunch and a mini photoshoot for The Chic List. On a side note, the sour cream cheese and honey toast was to die for! Definitely going back for more!

I've nothing but absolute love for the 2 outfits by Hello Weekend! It's so minimalistic, yet really chic. Looking good has never felt so effortless!

Head on over to Hello Weekend's blog to find out more about the outfits and myself!

Photos by Kimberly

"Never use the word 'cheap'. Today everybody can look chic in inexpensive clothes (the rich buy them too). There is good clothing design on every level today. You can be the chicest thing in the world in a T-shirt and jeans -- it's up to you."

- Karl Lagerfeld

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Calf-length silhouette.

Top: Infinite Pixie

Skirt: H&M

Heels: The Closet Lover

Necklace: Thomas Sabo

Bracelet: Pandora

I've got a deep-seated obsession with midi pencil skirts! I hardly wear my minis nowadays 'cause I feel like I look too sleazy whilst midi pencil skirts give a so much more sophisticated look. Maybe age is catching up with me or 'cause I don't get to dress up like an office lady to work. But I choose to believe that this is most likely another of my fashion phase/craze.

The midi skirt was made popular in the famous movie, Bonnie and Clyde. We've seen designers ricochet between maxis that take it to the floor and impossible-to-hide-your-butt-cheeks minis, yet fail to bring back the midi trend which so many of us hunt high and low in vintage shops for, until now. The calf-length silhouette is probably here to stay for awhile since it's so transitional. Pair it with a blouse and you're ready for a day at your office, pair it with a crop top and you're all set to party the night away. This 70s revival has definitely got fashion crushing for a number of seasons now and we've seen them on runways in a hundred and one different designs -- fitted, a-line, textured, sheer, lace, jacquard, mermaid hemline, etc.

The thought of bisecting the calves and hiding in a voluminous amount of fabric (more so for petite and vertically challenged girls like myself) may seemingly make us look frumpy and significantly shorter. Fret not 'cause there's a couple of tricks to pulling it off in a midi!

Waistline
If you're donning a midi skirt which usually means more length and volume (especially those full skirting like the A-line or those with flounces) at the bottom, it's important to always keep it balanced and streamlined above the waist. A crop top often makes a perfect counterpart. However, if you're not into belly baring, a tube/spaghetti top would do too. And if you're not wearing a crop top, do remember to have your top tucked in! Another tip is to put on a waist-cinching belt.

Heels
Picking the right pair of footwear to go with your midi skirt can be a little tricky, unless you were blessed with model-like height. I personally think it's fine to pair it with flats like a pair of strappy sandals. But of course, nothing beats a pair of heels. A thin strappy pair of heels or the classic pumps (preferably nude) would do the job. Nude pumps are well known for giving you an extra bit of height 'cause it matches your skin tone and that gives an illusion that your legs go on forever rather than having it "chopped off" with any other coloured pumps. It's just an illusion, then again, whatever works right?

Photos by Gian

"I'm not a risk taker. I don't do plunging necklines or really short skirts. I try to stay as classy as possible and provide a little mystery."
- Kristen Bell

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108 Yogathon

It's less than a week to the 108 Yogathon -- Singapore's largest outdoor yoga marathon! Come join me and all the other yogis in completing 108 Sun Salutations in one session! 

Sun Salutation, also known as Surya Namascar in Sanskrit, is basically the sequence of asanas you see in the above picture. And yes, we'll be doing that 108 times!

I'm taking up the challenge even though I'm still a greenhorn when it comes to yoga, so no excuses to not participate! Grab your friends along to enjoy bundle packages and cheer each other on while you put your endurance to the test.

Details

Date: 29th November 2014, Saturday

Time: 4:30 - 6:30PM (registration & fringe activities start at 3PM)

Venue: Fort Gate, Fort Canning Park

Here's a shout out to Moringa.sg and  Tirisula Yoga who have kindly sponsored a box of tea and 100% organic cotton handmade yoga mat bag respectively. There'll be more stuff in your goodie bags!

What are you waiting for? Register here and I'll see you there!

"Yoga is not a religion. It is a science, a science of well-being, science of youthfulness, science of integrating body, mind and soul."

- Amit Ray

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