Loving Singapore, Our Home

Like most of you, before this I had only been to the National Day Parade preview once - in Primary 5 together with the rest of the Primary 5s in Singapore. At that age, I was still young and I only remember it as a fun school outing and a scorching day. I was very excited when I got news that I can watch the preview this year! I knew it was going to be a total different experience for me, because this time being a Singaporean is deeply rooted in my heart and at my current age, I'd be able to really appreciate being a Singaporean a lot more. I really hope one day I am able to get tickets for the actual day! The atmosphere in the stadium during National Day confirm very high and full of love one!

Randy and me had a pair of NDP preview tickets each, so we brought Benjamin and Isaac along!

I really think Singapore is so beautiful!


REFLECTIONS: OUR IDENTITY

I am very happy to be involved in Singapore NDP 2012 as an official blogger! I have always expressed my love for Singapore and I think that this year's theme is very meaningful - Loving Singapore, Our Home.

I yearn to travel and explore the world. But Singapore will always be my home in my heart. No matter where I go, I would eventually want to come back to Singapore because this is where I belong! After all, Singapore is our home, the place we grew up in. Of course, it is not entirely perfect but I feel very blessed to be a Singaporean living on this little sunny island.




Remember when we were kids and in class we had to draw all the Singapore flag, Orchid, Singapore island outline and the Merlion representing Singapore? Now kids have to draw MBS, Singapore Flyer, Esplanade etc. Haha.



We all remember this sight of the helicopters holding the flag. Last time I tried drawing this to impress my teachers when others mostly drew the typical stuff!



I was so shocked to know that those people standing in the parade actually stand still like that for so long! I always thought they only march in and then out already. It must be so straining for stand under the hot sun without being able to move! But a couple of my guy friends told me that it was a memorable experience being part of the parade during their NS days and through the time they spent standing down there really makes them feel full of pride and love for Singapore.

REFLECTIONS: OUR SPIRIT

The air show was spectacular and one of my favorite segment of the show.




These navy ships made a heart shape with their waves! So cool right?!!!!


We all tried our best to be in red and white. Most of the audience made the effort too!







REFLECTIONS: OUR LOVE

In my previous post regarding NDP2012, I mentioned about the LovingSG: One Heart, One Voice activity.

The project invited Singaporeans to send in video clips of themselves singing the national anthem Majulah Singapura. These video clips were then spliced together by Singapore Symphony Orchestra music conductor Darrell Ang and local filmmaker Royston Tan to form Singapore's first virtual choir!

Isn't it so heartwarming?






REFLECTIONS: OUR HOME

I was so happy to know that Olivia Ong is singing the NDP theme song this year. I love her vocals!

I like the song very much. Very touching! T_T
"When it feels this right, you know that it’s love at first light."



Of course, everyone's favorite part of the parade is the fireworks!




It was such a magical and high moment for us. We were cheering on and on and on as the pretty fireworks burst in the sky.






Loving Singapore, Our Home.

Colbar

Outfit of the day:


Love this Fercia Chiffon Blue Top from MaryJulian / Jipaban.com. It looks seemingly simple at the front but it's beautifully layered at the back. MaryJulian is owned by Jade Seah, and I've read that she's very particular about quality and standard. Indeed, the designs featured at the store are nothing less than beautiful and unique.


Wore the top to Colbar, situated at the very ulu 9A Whitchurch Road. I have seen photos of it in bright daylight and found it quite interesting and different from the restaurants we have in Singapore. I headed down quite late and don't have many nice photos to show you all as it was dark.

It was a expat-dominated hangout and the experience was quite charismatic in it's own way. It felt like I time-traveled to the past, to olden Singapore - British Colonial days. The place felt... historical.



Look at those old photos on the wall!


We chose outdoor seating as the whole place was not air-conditioned and since the fans were not switched on, it might be too stuffy in indoors.

The place was this empty when we sat down, but soon after it was full again. Almost closing time when we ordered our food but there were still diners coming in. Many of the patrons had dogs with them. They were probably residents in the nearby landed houses.






I ordered the Roasted Chicken Chips & Mushroom ($10). Ordered sunny side up to go with it! Nothing fantastic, but it was good enough!


This dish below is Chicken Merryland ($14). Curry chicken cutlet, Tomato, Baked beans, Chips, Bacon, Egg, Fried Banana.


Ordered Fried Banana with Honey for dessert. IT WAS GOOD. Actually, it's like Goreng Pisang, but slightly different. I loved the texture inside, especially yums when eaten piping hot!


Would love to come back here again one day ^_^

Attempting Tigress Style

And so, last weekend I tried a style that is so not my style. LOVEIEN19 sponsored this set of outfit.

I've attempted such 'cool' look multiple times and I fail terribly each time because I'm just not a cool person. I think I'm so much more suitable for the summery happy look!



This is the nearest I can get to 'cool', which is to try smiling less happily. Haha. There was once I was doing a photoshoot which required me to act cool, the photographer ended up telling me repeatedly not to smile when actually I wasn't even smiling at all!

I paired it with these accessories.


My pastel colored nails aren't helping to UP the cool factor at all. Lol.


What's that behind my ear?


It's a "hair clip" with chain leading to some beige feathers. I think it'd look good if clipped to a high ponytail.




I paired the tigress top with this pair of tights, but it actually comes with a light brown skirt that is quite cute too.


Photo with my sis:


You can dress up like this too!

The accessories and the top are all from LOVEIEN19! I saw plenty of other cool clothes featured too. Here are some:














Their chic accessories (in-stock) are going at ANY 4 for $10 (rings and earrings), and $3 for $10 (necklaces)! Punk accessories are at $4 each only!



Their accessories and bags are available at MIYOC, Orchard Centre #05-12 and apparels are available at MIYOC, Jcube #04-14.

If not, you can check out the latest new collection online at: http://loveien19.blogspot.sg/!

Quote "Esther Xie" to receive a Free Gift on any purchase! More purchased = more gifts! =)

Just one random day

Didn't have time to sort photos so I have been blogging the simpler ones with less photos first!



Wore this pink chiffon dress from Dressdownfriday at Jipaban.com to work one day. Love the soft color and flapper overlay at the waist area!


Added some edge to the feminine dress by wearing this necklace from Epicfas.com

Mum's Birthday

Picture entry!

It was Mum's birthday yesterday so we treated her to dinner at Peach Garden!

Backick

Attended the launch event of Backick.com last week at Loof. According to Gothere app, the nearest MRT is Bras Basah. End up I walked from Bras Basah to Bugis to Cityhall to the location -_- Turned out I walked the wrong route and walked one big round. Oh well, at least now I know Bras Basah is SO NEAR bugis!

Was very late for the event and the introduction has already started! However, it's quite simple actually. Backick.com is a website that links to your facebook, and it works in a way that whenever your friend books a hotel through Backick, you get credits accumulated and get to deduct a substantial amount off your next hotel booking! So if you have lots of (rich and wanderlust) friends on Facebook, it's a great deal for you.


Hello! My blog is better than yours!


Love my dressing that day. Top is from MissQueenie.com, paired with floral shorts with orange petals (dress code was 'Orange', according to Backick's brand color).

Fiona's Birthday Dinner

Just a short update.

Met up for Fiona's belated birthday dinner. It's always fun to meet these girls because we always have so much to chat about and so much to laugh about. Unfortunately we are all busy girls and it's always difficult to find a time to meet, unlike those days in polytechnic and university when we were forced to see each other whenever there are classes! Haha. It's such a wonder why we can't meet up more often when we live in the same town, just that Fiona is at the other side of the town. And, Maisarah lives just a 3 minute walk away from my house!



Ate at Pastamania and it was a horrid dinner! My aglio olio was bland :(


Photo with Maisarah.


Went to Daiso afterwards and went crazy sweeping pink things off the shelf there. So happy that Daiso opened a branch at Tampines! It's just one MRT stop away ^_^ So convenient now, no need to travel so far whenever I need stuff. Love Daiso because their items are all so cute and pretty~ And, $2 only!



Wore a simple floral dress from http://missqueenie.com to the dinner. Lashes from http://blink.sg