IN THE TROPICS

                                                   

                       

               13 hours stuck in a metal flying tin-can - #Igotofftheplanelikethis

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Singapore; temperature currently 34 degrees Celsius and humidity truly suffocating.

Despite this, I am very glad to be back in Singapore visiting family and having the occasional shopping spree for things you can only find in the Far-East. I’m very glad to be able to gorge the foods I have missed which you can see from the couple of kgs I've put on in one week. I’m glad to see the spotless, chewing gum-free streets, the hordes of taxis of which are impossible to hail when you need one most, the never ending stream of grandiose shopping centres/malls lining Orchard Road, the ‘aunties’ ’ indistinguishable haggling at markets, the around-the-clock building work…the list goes on. The West and the East are completely different from each other in appearance and culture, both great in their own right, but something I truly appreciate as it allows me to escape from one world to another.

To go along with the tropical climate scene, palm leaves must of course make an appearance. I can't help but feel the black accented strips over the deep cobalt blue top add a retro vibe to a modern cut which makes me feel like I should be wondering on a street in Palm Springs. This is the silkiest item I've ever worn, and the loose fit that beckons for a no-bras day (hurrah) is definitely perfect for the 34 degrees, perspiration-inducing climate. One of my faves this summer.

On the other hand, when did it ever become a good idea to wear a pleather skirt in this heat? I shall try to justify! With wearing prints, there are two ways:

1) Mix prints - one of the prints larger and bolder, and the other less dominating will work well together, as well as having similar colour palettes.

2) Texture - keep the other piece plain but use an interesting texture

I went with the latter as I wanted to highlight the black from the top so not to make the intense cobalt blue too overwhelming if matched with other prints.

That's all for today - off to be a self-proclaimed food critic.

Let me know what you think, x

Zara Leaf Print Silk Top

Zara Pleather Skirt

H & M Necklace

POST EXAM SYNDROME

Well, that's two years of studying wrapped up in the most important fourteen hours of my life.

There are no words to describe the feeling when the invigilator demands “pens down” for the very last time than sheer, utter relief. The last walk out of the exam hall is always the time for silent celebrations – or helpless cries depending on which end of the ‘how much of the paper did you understand’ scale you were on. Now the only thing left to do is wait for our dreaded results’, the day when all the tension building up to that moment is released, but then realising how much more significant you actually made it.

   Despite the last step to getting into university done and dusted with, I can’t help but feel a sense of too much freedom, I mean, what do I do with my life now? No more all-nighters, no more stressed phone calls to friends about a maths problem, no more study timetables, no more knowing exactly what I should be doing at exactly what time in the day. During those two years, you can’t help but be stuck in monotonous way of life, and once broken I end up not being able to start anything new and productive, even after waiting and anticipating for the end of that schedule. When no more deadlines are given, my motivation levels shut down drastically. So much for, “I will start this when I am free…” Every moment I am sucked into watching another TV episode, I feel like I’m wasting precious time.

And so, here is what I say to get back motivation:

1. Get a haircut  - I tend to get a drastic chop after leaving it to grow for a while in its untamed state. Definitely leaves a refreshing feeling on the shoulders.

2. Try out new things - e.g. walk a different route than usual

3. Rediscover old passions - the flare of excitement is critical to battle the energy slump

I have come to the conclusion that YouTube and all other video hosting websites are evil full-stop.

Forever 21 Knit Jumper // H & M Floral Shorts

A LESSON TO BE LEARNED

 

I must admit the whole photo-taking business is not a walk in the park for me, not least for my lack of knowledge of lighting, composition, or camera know-how. So, as I set up camera down on my tripod but eventually dragging my mum into the street to aid my photo-taking spectacle, I couldn't help but feel like my efforts would be a little far-fetched. All I can really do is laugh when the intention to make the imagery appear somewhat rugged but professional with an added street effect (how poignant, I know), quickly turned into 'lets just capture the outfit and forget the rest'.

Having deliberately not made much of an exhibition of myself in all my school career, it was a strange feeling to pose right in the eye of the public even if it was just standing in front of a garage door. I am just not used to all this attention! I must say however that it was liberating; a few weird looks here and a few giggles there from passers-by didn't phase me as I do feel that I've grown up from caring about what others think. And neither will the average person. Sure, they'll find amusement for point one percent of their day, but by the end, they won't have even the slightest recollection.

This was the ensemble I worked for a day out in London; leather as a barrier to the rain and baggy sweatpants as, not gonna lie, a substitute to pyjama bottoms because all I wanted to do was cocoon myself in my duvet. Since my friend was turning eighteen, we decided it would be a bright idea to visit a bar-slash-club on a Thursday night, can you believe. And yes, yes, although I know it is a conformity to pound the alcohol when one turns a milestone age, I was not exactly suitably dressed, especially when men in business suits rocked up. Speaking of being stared at, this was one perfect scenario. Whilst I did look like I belonged more to an airfield in the leather jacket than the London metropolitan scene, I was pretty much in my duvet the entire time - so all's well that ends well I guess!

A tip for London nightlife: be early for everything!

Vintage Leather Jacket // Warehouse Checked Shirt // Miss Selfridge Satin Trousers // River Island Sandals // Zara Textured Bag // Canon EOS 10QD Film Camera

NOSTALGIA

                                                                  Zara White Shirt // Zara Floral Shorts // Birkenstock Pink Slippers

I've been loving almost everything in Zara at the moment, although not a surprise as they've been spot on with all the latest trends recently. To celebrate my last day of school I went out for a cheeky shopping trip and what I came home with was a white, oversized shirt. I feel like every girl needs a classic, white shirt in their wardrobe; one of my favourite Vogue covers of all time is the 100th anniversary supermodel special with the likes of Claudia, Naomi and Cindy dressed in a white button up shirt to celebrate the garment's test of time. What I love about this new twist on the classic is the high neckline, boxy fit and slight crop which compliments my petite frame so well. I can't wait to see how many outfits I can conjure with this baby!

Shimin

X

LEVI'S SHIRT AND MOM JEANS

Levi's Shirt // Topshop Mom Jeans // New Look Belt // Steve Madden Heels // TK Maxx Leather Jacket

New outfit post before the stress of exams takes over. Just need to remind myself that in two months I'll be lounging around by a pool in Singapore soaking up some much needed sunshine, every last memory of that statistics paper gone.

Threw on my dad's old Levi's shirt today for school as its completely fuss free. My mom jeans have made another appearance; can't help it, they're too comfortable!

Shimin

x

MY 'MOMS'

These white distressed Mom jeans from Topshop are everything! Can't wait to try out more looks with them.

At first I cringed at the £40 price tag but they are so worth it. They pair up perfectly with so many pieces in my spring/summer wardrobe that I'm sure I'll wear them out by the time winter rolls around, and even then will I be rocking these.

I paired it with a plain grey tee for a casual feel and beige but I can see myself throwing on an oversized blazer for a more formal gathering. Great investment for those who want a nice pair of summer trousers!

                Mom jeans: Topshop         Beige jacket: Topshop          Grey Tee: Miss Selfridge      Sandals: River Island                        Belt: New Look          Bag: Zara

Instagram: @shimin_lu

VINTAGE JACKET AND PLEATHER SKIRT

So I guess this is my first blog post...and the extent of my English GCSE.

As the weather in England has started becoming warmer and I now don't have to leave the house feeling as if I've gone through a car wash, I often find myself grabbing for my vintage cotton jacket passed down from my (surprisingly) fashionable mother. There is something very charming about wearing clothes from a previous era; it just gives a nod to the old that has sculpted today's new. I obsess over its oversized fit and the way it hangs effortlessly on my body. It doesn't drown me, something which I find a lot of oversized clothes do. Of course, rolling up the sleeves helped a lot, and gives the whole outfit an overall casual feel.

The way I style vintage pieces is by pairing them with a more modern material which is why I opted for a pleather skirt with shoelace detailing for some edge. The skirt is rather tight-fitting which balances the bagginess of the jacket perfectly so that I can show a bit of shape without being too revealed. The stripped top gives the whole thing texture and interest in a very neutral, one-dimensional look.

Jacket: Vintage Sisley       Striped Cropped Top: Zara        Pleather Skirt: Zara        Sandals: River Island