Miracles in 2013

Hi! Well, as you can tell from the title of this post, I am going to do like a throwback into the year 2013. And some of you would know what song I was inspired by when I coming up with the title of this post. (giggles) For the benefit of those who don't, go and have a listen! The song is just beautiful, so is the music video! Though one of the parts in the video, I was laughing (inside joke in the fandom).

Now, back to the post! This post was also inspired by the 'Best of (insert year)' tag on YouTube. This tag consists of 3 categories - Beauty, Fashion and Miscellaneous. So let's get into it!

BEAUTY

(a) Face

(b) Eyes

(c) Mascara

(ain't nobody got time for all that stuff)

(d) Lips: Mogitate Kajitsu in Strawberry

I got this lip balm a while back in February when I was still in Japan. I forgotten to bring along my Body Shop lip butter in Mango so I had to search for one there and I found it at the Narita Airport. It was pretty cheap so I didn't really had such high expectations for it. But OMG, it was the most moisturizing lip balm I have ever used. Since it was winter in Tokyo in February, my lips tend to get really dry very quickly and this lip balm was like my knight in shining armor. It kept my lips moisturized for ages. But I realized that if I applied a bit too much, it made my lips feel a bit greasy. So just one swipe of it would do the trick!

The smell is definitely a strong strawberry smell but it is not an overwhelming strawberry smell. There was one time I was applying it during class and one of my classmates asked about the sweet smell. I'm not sure if they sell it in other places but if they do, I would definitely recommend this lip balm if you like strawberries or sweet smelling lip balms. 

FASHION

(a) Shades

I got this pair of sunglasses at Harajuku when I was in Japan. They're just simple square-framed sunglasses with rounded corners. What I really love about them is that they have a rather masculine feel to them and that they covered probably half of my cheeks when I wear them. My family sort of hates them and some people gave me looks when I wear them but whatever. As long as I am happy with them, that is all that matters most. The lenses are pretty opaque too so when I wear them, people can't really tell where am I looking at.

Here's a picture of me with the shades on. That's my friend, Iiman. Please don't mind our faces, it's normal. (Sorry Iiman for using this picture but I like our expressions here hahaha). It was on our last day of school for the first semester and I look as if I was high off something. Anyways, that's how I look like with the shades.

(b) Headwear

I couldn't decide which so I choose 2 of my favourite headwears! If you do see me in school or outside, 90% of the time I would be wearing a headwear. Yes, I am that weather-impaired girl who would wear a beanie in the blazing hot weather. It has already become a part of me. I even have an emergency beanie in my bag at all times just in case if my hair starts going wonky. My new classmates got shocked when they heard that. And again, yes, I am that girl who would actually has an emergency beanie in her bag at all times. Anyways, here are my top 2 favourite headwears!

This has got to be my most worn headwear. It is a simple basic black beanie with the folded bottom. This also happens to be my emergency beanie. This beanie is pretty close to my ideal beanie. It sits well on my head and keeps my hair in place. But there are always those days when the beanie starts riding off my head (if that made any sense). It sits well but in about an hour or two, it tries to get off my head. So the solution to this - just pull it down whenever it does that. I am still in search of the perfect beanie but this one I must say, it is the best one out of the ones I have worn this whole year.

When I don't feel like wearing my beanie, this is the alternative I would turn to most of the time - my BADBOY/GOODGIRL snapback that I bought in Harajuku. I usually like to add a boyish-casual feel to my outfits so this is like my hidden card in order to add that charm to my outfit for that day. For example, I would pair my silver knit sweater with black skinny jeans and black creepers. I would accessorize it with silver jewelry to compliment the sweater and the snapback helps to create a more laidback feel to the whole outfit. Here is an illustration to make it easier for you guys to visualize it!

(c) Shoes

I would definitely have to choose my black high top Converse! I bought early this year, around March if I am not wrong? Since I was meeting my friends for ice cream that day, I got him to help me check out the price for me. Being me, I would always seek out for other places if they have got discounts or sales. So I bought at BHG (those large stores with the mini brand outlets). They sold it at a lower price as compared to the Converse outlet and there was even a further discount given! In total, I was given like a $13 discount off those shoes and they are such a good buy.

I love the fact that they are full black from top to bottom. This totally helps me. I am pretty short (like around 5 ft) so I would always find ways to make me look taller without killing my feet by wearing heels. One of the ways would be pairing these shoes with my black skinny jeans. (I totally spilled my fashion secret to you guys) By doing so, it creates 'a line' on your legs since your shoes and bottoms are in the same colour hence elongating your legs, making them look longer. So there you go, a tip on how to make yourself look taller. Why hurt your feet with heels when you can still get the 'height' with sneakers?

You would be wondering, why not boots? Like those classic Dr. Martens black boots. Well one of the reasons is because (again) being me, I don't like to blend in with the crowd. In my point of view, when everyone is wearing the same thing, it becomes like a uniform for everyone. So I decided to go all hipster and get those black high top Converse instead. Hahaha I know, it's a lame reason. Another reason is because it is so much easier and faster to break into Converse shoes than boots.

(d) Trend/Pattern

I cannot express how much I love the plaid/tartan print. I was so happy when I finally purchased a pair of tartan trousers from H&M! There is something classic yet interesting charm about it. I love how it is a pattern that you can dress up or down in. If I have formal day for school again, I would definitely wear them. I think tartan can totally be a formal pattern, afterall, most school uniforms are plaid (stereotypically). (As said by Jenn Im) Here is a set of how I would pair my tartan trousers for formal wear, as well as some pictures of me wearing plaid.

(e) Outerwear

The army green parka. This has got to be one of my most essential pieces for any outfit I am wearing. It adds on to the casual look I like to go for. It ties in so well with my beanie. It keeps me warm when it is cold and it does not make me feel super warm when it is hot. I don't know if I am trying to make myself believe that it does what it does but it did what I stated earlier. (Am I making any sense here cos I don't think so) I am always with my parka, even if I am wearing a dress. This is how I would usually pair it with my dress.

(f) Bag

Ignore the glasses but the bag, NO. The Longchamp haversack is favourite/mostly used bag for the year 2013. I received it as an unexpected gift from my Aunt. To be honest, I was kind of shock and didn't know if I should receive it or not. Don't be fooled by its size, the haversack is big enough for me to stash my books, wallet, water bottle and such. It is practically a Mary Poppins bag! The colour is in the loveliest shade of army green. The straps are connected to the closure of the bag so it secures the bag and ensures that nothing falls out.

(g) Accessory

And again, I couldn't decide which to choose. But after much deliberation, I decided to go with my DIY wooven bracelets!

Well, these are the 2 bracelets that I have been consistently using to add on to my arm candy. I especially love the daisy bracelet that I made! It is definitely something unique and something you don't see anyone wearing. Which brings me to my next reason why I like them. Wooven bracelets are something I would consider as a unique, one of a kind item. Not everyone would have the same one, especially if it is one that you did yourself. It feels rather special and boho as well.

MISCELLANEOUS

(a) Book

Cliche but I LOVE THE BOOK. It is like going on a journey with Charlie, the main character. It also allowed to understand what was going through his mind. As you read on, you would notice how it draws you in with the familiar situations that happened in the book. Throughout the whole book, I was literally screaming, "OMG YES THAT IS HOW I FELT TOO!" Stephen Chbosky, I love you for writing this book. The movie is not bad, it definitely captured the essence of the book. I chose the movie for my assignment and I learnt even more about the movie. Even the camera angles have a hidden meaning which adds on the depth of the storyline/character. But of course, the book is always better than the movie.

(b) TV Show(s)

I have decided to choose 2 dramas for this category - one in English language and one in foreign (obviously, I would choose a Korean drama). Let's start with the English-language drama!

Code of Law is a local drama which focuses on the criminal justice system in Singapore. For some reason, the theme of the drama really interests me. This is probably why I have been on a Suits marathon lately. Anyways, here's the trailer of the show. Can't wait for the new season!

As for the foreign section, I chose Good Doctor. This drama hit pretty high viewer ratings and if you're into KBS dramas, you would know that any drama that Joo Won is in would have real good viewer ratings. This story revolves around Park Shi-On (main character) and his journey being a pediatric surgery resident. However, he is on probation for 3 months as he has savant syndrome and developmental disability. Despite his disabilities,  he has genius tendencies and really good memory. This drama made me cry a whole lot. The obstacles he went through were tough but he somehow always looked on the brighter side of things and moved on. I really admire his character. Catch the trailer here!

(c) Movie

I was really tempted to choose 'Miracle in Cell No. 7' but I decided not and to go with the one that I have been watching over and over this whole year.

The classic movie - The Breakfast Club. Well, unlike everyone else, I only got to know about this movie through 'Pitch Perfect' and 'Victorious'. I even get to study this movie for one of my classes this semester! It has a pretty similar theme like The Perks of Being a Wallflower - situations/issues faced in the teenager society. After that lesson, it made me feel a whole lot closer to the characters in the movie. Definitely a must- watch for this movie! Here's the trailer!

(d) Song

Again, like the drama category, I will choose 2 songs - one in English and one in foreign.

This song titled 'Go' by Aziatix was released quite some time ago but for some reason, I kept going back to the song over and over. The vocals and rapping are mad good. Their live performance for this song is incredible. I just can't explain it, this song is just that good. Really am looking forward to their future music comebacks!

SPICA's Tonight is amazing. After all of the trouble this group had gone through as seen on their variety show called 'X Unnie', they came together with the most respected sunbae in their company - Lee Hyori - to produce a song for their comeback. This band is definitely underrated. Their vocals are amazing - watch their song cover of 'Cups' by Anna Kendrick. 

I know I said that I chose 2 songs but THIS. This song is amazing, it kept me going during the second half of this year. Go look up at the translation of this song and you'll know. Team A, otherwise known as WINNER now, wrote this song titled 'Smile Again' for one of the challenges in the survival show they were in. WINNER is probably debuting in 2014, do anticipate their debut and give their songs a listen!

(e) Food

I would probably choose Seoul Garden and my cousin's Rosemary Chicken. I just love barbecuing and chicken.

The one in my bento is my attempt at remaking my cousin's Rosemary Chicken. The taste is about there but my cousin's chicken is just darn good. There is the lemon-y zest along with the garlic-ginger-herb taste in the chicken. It definitely tastes so much better when you let the chicken marinade at least a few hours.

This year, I have been going to Seoul Garden way too often. But, one does not simply say no to Seoul Garden. I just love barbecuing the meat to perfection then wrapping it in lettuce/salad leaf - definitely the Korean style of eating their barbecued meat. There was once I decided to try the Shabu-Sushi buffet thing at NEX. I thought it would be like Seoul Garden too however it only involved you putting food pieces to cook in the soup you are provided with. But it was a good experience. Not only that, I even met my future schoolmates there. This is what happens when you decide to wear your school tee out. (Let me just say that the guy I met was really cute)

(f) Drink

I don't think I have a favourite drink but the drink that I have been constantly buying or making would have to be Black Coffee - preferably iced. I love it black and with little sugar. Sometimes if I feel pretty bitter that day, I'll just get it with no sugar. The amount of caffeine that is in the drink is INSANE but I somehow can still sleep after drinking it.

When I am not feeling bitter, I would get the House Special Green Tea from GongCha. This green tea drink is amazing and definitely something different - it is topped with this special cream. The cream was a little salty but when you mix it with the green tea, IT BECOMES A WHOLE NEW MILK TEA STORY. If you are a green tea lover, get this drink. I just can't describe how good is this drink.

(e) Dessert

I love baking. So, whenever I eat a dessert that is really good, I would try my best to remake it so that I could have a batch of that dessert for myself at home. But these 2 desserts are the ones that I can't recreate. They taste so good.

Here I present to you the Green Tea Matcha Cupcake from Fluff Bakery! I have been wanting to try cupcakes from Fluff Bakery since ever! When I got to know that they have a booth at the Reebonz Fashion Fest '13, I quickly went there. Sadly they were only left with these cupcakes but I got it anyway. 

Look at that! You get a bite of it and the first thing that explodes in your mouth is the sweet filling - green tea filling. The cupcake is soft and moist. The frosting is definitely perfect. I tried to recreate this cupcake and I ended up with an overpowering Matcha cupcake which didn't let me sleep for long hours. Anyways, if you have the chance to stop by Fluff Bakery (they close pretty early cos their cupcakes and pies sell out real quickly!), definitely get the Green Tea Matcha cupcake (especially if you're a green tea lover!) or the other cupcake flavours.

This is the Cake-in-a-Jar from Spatula. This dessert is just heavenly. There was once my friend asked me how did it taste so I gave a detailed explanation about it. Let's just hope it is as detailed as last time! The first layer is the buttercream frosting - so white and soft. Followed by a basic vanilla cake layer. After that layer is another layer of frosting with chocolate chips but this time, the layer underneath is a chocolate cake. All so moist and soft. After this layer is a layer of marshmallows and pie crust crumbs (I think they're pie crust crumbs) followed by the last layer - red velvet cake. Okay, to be honest, the explanation I did before was way better than this one but you get an idea of it, yes? The bakery is pretty hard to find but so worth the journey! Definitely try this out!

(g) Moment

Definitely the times when I get to meet new people. Since it is finally the time of year where I am starting in a new school in a new environment, etc. 

Meeting MC4L was definitely great! From the start of it - meeting and making friends through the whatsapp group - to now. It's great meeting them. They definitely kick start the year of 2013.  Though I am not a part of it anymore, I still am grateful for the memories.

My Y1S1 class! They're such a lovely bunch of people. It was so much fun being in the same class as them. I'm still bummed that we aren't in the same class this semester but oh well, let's hope we can meet again in the other semesters.

Another moment would be going on a family trip to Japan. We had a pretty rough time the previous year and I am glad we managed to slowly get over it and get out of the city. Here's to more family trips!

There are more moments that I really love this year too. Like going for the Open House '14 camp and surprisingly enjoyed myself. I met this lovely bunch of people and it was great. 2013 has been pretty good to me, I must say. Hopefully I can update this blog more often in the new year. Thank you so much reading my posts. If you are reading this post right now, I wish you a very very happy new year and may you have a great year ahead!

Happy 2014. Here's to more wonderful, unforgettable moments.