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- Chinese New Year 2024 Nails For 龙-Lasting Fortune in the Year of the Dragon
The Year of the Dragon is upon us! And this means - it's time for some CNY glam-up! I'm so happy that CNY’s a bit later this year, giving me extra time to soak in the festive vibes. And you know the drill - this means it's time for a chic nail session with Amanda at Nail Indulgence De Beau . This year, it’s all about sophistication with delicate sakura accents and Chinese art-inspired designs. I'm absolutely in love with these Lunar New Year nails! Watch the transformation in action on my latest CNY Vlog. Here’s a festive treat - Use code JULIANA for a 10% discount at Nail Indulgence De Beau. And if it’s your birthday, enjoy an extra 5% off! Just curious - what’s your CNY nail style this year? Subtle elegance or a bold dragon-inspired statement? Let me know in the comments! Finally, here's to a year filled with 龙-gevity, health, and prosperity! Huat ah! Your friend, Juliana
- Hello Year of the Dragon - Friends, Makeovers & Real Talk on Content Creation | CNY VLOG 2024
Join me as we bid adieu to 2023 and welcome the Year of the Dragon! This vlog is packed with laughter and memories with my best friends, the bittersweet moments of taking down Christmas decor, and the excitement of CNY preparations, complete with dragon-themed decorations. Witness my transformation with stunning nail and hair makeovers and delve into an enlightening conversation about the life of a content creator with a Mass Communication student. It's a journey of joy, celebration, and real-life insights! Your friend, Juliana
- Mulan - Who Is That Girl I See?
When will my reflection show who I am inside? After more than 20 years, Mulan’s message is just as relevant and meaningful as ever! As a kid entering my teens, it was the first time I felt represented, a Disney Princess I could identify with and relate to. It felt like the world could see me and I’d laugh at the funny moments almost as if they were inside jokes that only I could understand! Mulan’s mom - “Of all the days to be late! I should have prayed to the ancestors for luck ”. ( 祖先保佑, geddit??) Granny - “How lucky can they be? They're dead”! More than two decades later, the music, the songs and the lyrics still give me goosebumps, while the themes have become more powerful than they ever have. Speak up, if not for yourself, then for those who can’t, be true to yourself and others, be loyal and do the right thing even when it’s the most difficult thing! #mulanpower 💪 Needless to say, I’ve been looking forward to this live action remake since before it was even announced and now having seen it and loved it, I feel so proud all over again! It’s just what we needed to remind people of our rich history, culture and core values. When I started a medical company with my brother, I was surprised by how often I’d be asked, even by my own friends, if I was a nurse and if my brother was a doctor, despite us both being in the same uniform! Subtle stereotypes like this can often be quietly yet potently undermining. As a woman, I’ve never once felt hindered in the workplace in Singapore but I’d be naïve to think this is true everywhere. Mulan is a beautiful reminder to a whole new generation of young people that they can do anything they set their minds to! If you have a calling, be true to yourself and go for it! You all know me by now, a new Disney movie means a new photoshoot! However, with so many elements in Mulan resonating with me so strongly, I decided not to go with the traditional Chinese attire and instead reimagined what it means to be Mulan in this, our brave new world, battling everyday struggles and staying true to ourselves! Just as they did with Moana and Polynesian culture, Coco and Mexican culture, Disney did a heck of a lot of homework to show Chinese culture in the best light possible and I’m so grateful for it! Director Niki Caro (who also directed the outstanding Whale Rider) explained how their research led to the powerful use of colour based on their different roles in Chinese culture. Certain colours are considered auspicious (吉利) or inauspicious (不利), how yellow and gold represents prestige, heroism and neutrality often associated with the emperor and royalty, while red represents love, passion and bravery, all of which Mulan stands for! So it goes without saying, I donned a red power suit and dress to create this vision of Mulan. I’ll also let you in on a secret, I’ve been working with Crztales to create a very special bracelet featuring various stones, to encompass the spirit of Mulan! Keep reading for more! All the stars literally aligned for this, even the capricious weather cooperated for once. It's been raining cats and dogs for days and I was afraid I'd have to use artificial lighting for this shoot which wouldn't be ideal for the vibe I was going for. Well, it was all sunny and bright and the items I ordered last minute for the shoot also arrived just in time. Lucky me! I also received a few PR gifts just before the shoot which I thought fitted the theme like a glove. Oh oh oh! Look closely in the photos above and you’ll catch a glimpse of an enchanting, exclusive Mulan-inspired bracelet from Crztales ! I’m extremely humbled to have had the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful collection. If you have been watching my IG stories, you've probably heard me talk about a secret collaboration with my good friend, Qi Yun (Founder of Crztales) several times. I can finally let the cat out of the bag. Tadah! Qi Yun and I spent many hours over WhatsApp video calls perfecting our Mulan bracelet design! Crafted using natural crystals including Howlite, a calming stone which can relieve insomnia and stress while facilitating awareness and emotional expression and Red Agate, which protects the chakra (spiritual power) within us and promotes safety, grounding and influencing energy points within our body, these good luck mantras are exactly what we need! Other precious stones include the Carnelian Agate, Golden Sandstone and Red Tiger Eye. I was adamant not to veer away from the red colour palette to align with Mulan's passionate and filial side. The darker hues representing her strength, courage and determination. The crowning piece to the bracelet are the gold leaves which were inspired by a Chinese idiom 落叶归根 (luò yè guī gēn) meaning a falling leaf will eventually return to its roots. The idiom represented by the leaves perfectly describes her desire to go back to her family even when she was bestowed a prestigious title in the capital by the emperor. I hope I brought honour to us all with my depiction of what a Mulan bracelet should look like. This is a one-of-a-kind Mulan-themed bracelet or more specifically, six-of-a kind bracelet as Crztales will only be releasing 6 of this design at SGD88 each. Psst! Quote 'Juliana' to get yours at $78! Here's an intimate view of our Mulan crystal bracelet! "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all ." The Emperor, Mulan I was sent the new #fmgtsignature Collection by THEFACESHOP and thought the beautiful rosy hues in the Mono Pop Multi Palette Signature (SGD43) and Rouge Mini Kit (SGD49) were perfect for creating my Mulan look for the shoot. I wanted the makeup to look very subtle but not completely bare. Besides the natural looking red tones on my eyes, I added some dimension to them by gently dabbing the very pigmented and glittery 'Romantic Spring' eyeshadow from the palette on the centre of my lids. One swipe goes a long way - my eyes immediately perked up and drew all the attention. I was really looking forward to using this palette for many photoshoots to come but something very unfortunate occured during the shoot. Check out these behind-the-scenes outtakes on my IG Story highlights to find out what happened to the palette after the shoot. 😅 EMMEzing NAILS' Find Your Inner Warrior The Flower That Blooms Oh my magnolia! ('Mulan' means magnolia in Chinese btw.) These Mulan nail wraps were artfully designed by Wendee, head honcho of EMMEzing NAILS. I thought she captured the essence of Mulan very well and they look absolutely gorgeous on my nails! I hope my photos did them justice. When I first saw them on the EMMEzing NAILS website, I knew I had to get them all. Wendee even kindly included a Miracle Cuticle Oil Pusher to help me clean my cuticles and moisturise my nails before my epic nail makeover. They are really easy to apply and can last for weeks each time. Can't forget Mulan's protective shield for her heroic battles and in 2020, that means her face mask! This sleek satin red reusable mask is courtesy of my friend, Ziling . They come in three different sizes, S, M and L and are the perfect fusion of style and function! You can DM her directly on her Instagram to get your essentials for this brave new fashion world too! And finally, my power suit is from Shein. I thought the cut was just like the product shots. However, the sizing runs a little big for me. My hairstyle was created by the ever-imaginative William , Director at Shunji Matsuo . I love the grey and pink streaks so much! More photos of the look coming up on my Instagram! Psst! Quote 'Honeyz' to receive 10% off any chemical service by William at Shunji Matsuo (Ngee Ann). And possibly also inherit some of his hairstyling wisdom. Just like the new movie, my Mulan shoot might not have been in the traditional style expected by some but I loved it and I hope you do too! The new movie was a joy to behold and I hope you’re able to catch it on the biggest screen you can find! Back in 1998, when most of the world was still unaware of the legend of Mulan, Disney employed tactics to bridge the culture gap between the east and the west with the famous hair cutting scene, which actually made little sense to the Chinese world as men and women alike had long hair in the past! There was also Mushu, who I loved but many didn’t, feeling he was more like a scrawny lizard than an accurate representation of a true, majestic, Chinese dragon. While Mulan was shown to not be a traditional ‘girly girl’ she was neither shown to be the opposite and director, Niki Caro, did a fantastic job creating a back story that makes the rest so much more cohesive with references to chi and other familiar tropes we all know and love! And yes, I loved the references to classic Asian cinema with characters like the White Haired Witch ( 白发魔女) ! If I haven’t whet your appetite enough, here’s the trailer: Loyal, brave & true... And one more value at the end, for those of you who have seen the movie, which means more to me than anything! Enjoy friends! Stay happy, stay Disneyfied! Ahem! Now if you'll excuse me, Mulan needs to go back to her proverbial battlefield, the office! Your friend, Juliana
- Barbie Mania: A Trip Down the Pink Carpet of Brand Collaborations
Hi Barbie! Hi Ken! Hi Barbie... Collaborations!!!! Oooh!!! Heads up, doll devotees and pop culture connoisseurs! We're stepping into the glitz and glamour of Barbieland where Pantone 219 reigns supreme, doll houses redefine luxe living, and those chic pink stilettos have left permanent imprints in our hearts. From pixels on our screens to the palpable shelves in stores, Barbie seems to have conquered every conceivable territory. Props to the marketing maestros behind Barbie, their recent campaigns have captivated audiences of all ages, making this 64-year-old doll an enduring cultural icon. As a little girl, I had my very own Barbie doll. Hours melted away as I reveled in playing dress-up with this impeccably stylish doll. A bit of nostalgia? Certainly. But isn't it fascinating how these early fashion adventures have shaped my professional journey, making this blog your trusted style resource today? 😜 It might just be Barbie's magic at work (Sorry, Polly Pocket, you nudged me towards interior design, but that's a tale for another day!) Traversing down the aisles of Toys "R" Us after a prolonged hiatus felt like a refreshing detour into my childhood. I found myself enchanted by the updated Barbie mantra emblazoned on the packaging - "You can be anything". I remember wholeheartedly believing in this empowering message once. As adults, we may occasionally stumble into the pitfall of self-doubt, but let's remember to pick up Barbie's mantra as a torchlight in these moments. Credit where credit's due - Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie, sparked a paradigm shift in the toy industry with Barbie's ever-evolving career trajectory. Long before the societal norms caught up, Barbie had stepped into the shoes of an astronaut in 1965, campaigned for the presidency in 1992, and spearheaded robotics engineering in 2018. Each career-themed Barbie serves as a beacon, inspiring girls to dream big and shatter stereotypes. With the new Barbie movie creating a wave of nostalgia, the doll's appeal has transcended gender norms, just as my own brother's long-standing fascination with Barbie's pink speedboat stands testament to. The casting of the multi-talented Margot Robbie in the lead role is just the icing on the pink cake, demonstrating that a woman can be a powerhouse of beauty and brains. But wait, the Barbie frenzy doesn't stop at dolls or movies. Several brands have joined the Barbie bandwagon, launching themed merchandise to inject a dash of that Barbie magic back into our lives. So, whether you're looking to relive your childhood dreams or infuse a bit of pink glamour into your day, here are some Barbie collaborations to check out. Happy exploring! Montegrappa Barbie Collector Set Guess what, belles and beaus? Montegrappa's whipped up another stroke of genius - a Barbie collector's set, straight from our nostalgic dreams! This duo, celebrating Barbie's film debut, blends pastel hues and glistening trims on a 14K gold nib, truly showcasing Italian craftsmanship. Housed in a swanky pink lacquered keepsake box, this set, limited to 300 pieces, is a writer's fantasy come true! Can't wait to let Barbie and Ken jazz up my writing journey! 🎀✍️ The ALDO x Barbie Collection ALDO just dropped a Barbie-themed collection and it's a pink lover's dream! From stylish footwear to chic handbags all in Barbie's signature pink, it's a veritable Barbie world. The showstopper for me? These Barbie Stessy Malibu Pink heels, priced at $209. They're so fab, they'd make even Aqua's Barbie Girl green with envy, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of "life in plastic, it’s fantastic". Trust me, you'd want to match your favorite Barbie doll with these. Now, excuse me, I've got some shopping to do! 👠🛍️ Zara x Barbie Collection And what's this? Full looks from the movie coming to life, including Barbie's pink gingham dress and Ken's western cowboy outfit! Thanks to Zara's versatile capsule collection, you can now literally dress up as your screen favorites while easily blending these fun pieces into your current wardrobe! Time to step out, serving looks just like our beloved Barbies and Kens! Bring on the nostalgic fashion glow-up, I say! 💃🕺 Barbie x Typo/Cotton On Get ready to live out your Barbie dreams with the latest Barbie x Typo collaboration! Who knew we needed this nostalgia trip? But here we are, ready to make our Barbie DreamHouse dreams come true - for real! From oversized hoodies to cute slippers, smoothie cups to plush cushions and rugs, this range has got you covered. The Barbie x Typo collection is about to sprinkle a whole lotta pink and fun into our lives. So why wait? Time to upgrade your everyday with these lifestyle exclusives. Nyx Professional Makeup X Barbie The Movie Collection Step into the vibrant world of Barbie Land with NYX Professional Makeup’s Barbie The Movie Collection! Bursting with bright, Barbie-inspired hues and professional performance, it's a dream-come-true for every Barbie and Ken out there. And hey superfans, this makeup vault isn't just high-quality makeup, it's a collectible item you wouldn't want to miss! Finally, are you ready for my most favourite Barbie collaboration??? Drum-roll please! . . . Tadah! Barbie x Burger King Isn't this just adorable? Barbie has taken over Burger King! They've introduced a Barbie Land menu complete with a bacon cheeseburger doused in smoky pink sauce, Ken’s potato french fries, and a pink donut vanilla milkshake mixed with strawberry Nesquik powder, all nestled inside a special Barbie Land box. And no, it's not plastic, it's very real! But brace yourselves, folks, here comes the spoiler – this drool-worthy set is exclusive to Brazil. Talk about food-envy! 😋🍔🍟🍓 And there we have it, my fabulous friends! Wasn't it a joy diving back into the pink-tinted world of Barbie and exploring these oh-so-cute collaborations together? Let's always remember, while we love Barbie for the trailblazer she is, each one of us has our own unique sparkle and strength to flaunt. Barbie's just there to remind us of the boundless potential we all possess! So, here's to embracing our individual journeys, stilettos, sneakers, and all! Your friend, Juliana
- The Little Mermaid Was Mer-mazing!
They say there’s plenty of fish in the sea but I’m a mermaid! 🤪🧜🏻♀️ I can’t help it, every new Disney movie hits me so hard, the fondest memories of my youth and even recent memories such as my wedding, but The Little Mermaid has me diving to even greater depths for it was the first Disney movie I ever saw in the cinema! My amazing mummy was trying her best to afford me an amazing life and while she couldn’t afford English classes, she could afford tickets to Disney movies with the hope that I’d learn a word or two! I think it worked, mommy! It became our tradition and each new Disney release would be such a special mother and daughter moment. With the remake of The Little Mermaid, expectations were high but any doubts I might have had were immediately washed away! Halle Bailey is here to usher in the Little Mermaid to a Whole New World! Each Disney Princess has a trait, for Beauty and the Beast's Belle, it was her intelligence and for Ariel, it’s her voice! Which she sacrifices for a chance to be human! So it made sense that Disney cast someone who has the gills for the job and they hit it out of the ocean! Halle Bailey sounds just like the Ariel from my youth, whether talking and especially when singing! I was blown away! And she’s gorgeous to boot! I also loved how they did away with the whole love at first sight cliche and added some depth to her connection to Prince Eric and now, Sebastian the crab’s Caribbean accent also makes a lot more sense! What can I say, as a fellow mermaid, I love depth and hate shallow! We saw the movie at GV Gold Class where they even gave us a pair of stunning broken-glass wave designed crystal glasses. As you can tell, I can go on and on! It’s such a fantastic movie that I’m already eyeing up IMAX tickets to jump into it again! Thank you Disney for all the childhood and now adulthood memories! And thank you mummy, you’re the best! ❤️ Psst! Here's my attempt at the legendary Little Mermaid hair flip. Ouch.. my neck hurts. Never mind, I'll leave it to Ariel to do this. 😅 Your friend, Juliana #TheLittleMermaid
- Hey ma, look! I’ve got pink hair!
Sponsored Review I posted this photo on Instagram and captioned it ‘Colors of Nature‘. Apt or trying too hard to blend into the green surroundings with my hot pink highlights? Haha! Maybe a backdrop of sakuras will be more appropriate. Anyway, who says pink hair is not for the faint of heart? Well, Hair Profile has proven that I can still go bold yet subtle with unorthodox hair colors. Keep scrolling to read all about my gutsy hair revamp (before meeting the future in-laws). Gulp! Hello Hair Profile Salon! I’m back for more! Following the intensive moisture treatment from weeks ago , my mane is fully tamed and all ready to rock the dip-dye hair look! 😛 The condition is not too bad eh? Still pondering: Pink hair or no pink hair? Well, I can’t help being this indecisive because dabbling in the trendy dip-dye phenomenon before meeting the in-laws for the first time is pretty risky. I mean what if the dye job goes wrong and I end up looking like a vagabond? I don’t want them to hate me. 🙁 Kenji promised that everything will be fine and before I could say anything, the wizards of Hair Profile began working their magic to bring my hair back to life. I’m a pretty lucky girl because the salon was actually bustling with customers at the time and yet, the directors still insisted on personally styling my hair. Talk about commitment! My scalp is rather sensitive so some hair dyes cause irritation and itching. I was worried about this but thought ‘Dang it! For fabulous looking hair, the itching is all worth it.‘ *scratch scratch* Well, all worries of irritation were eliminated when Kenji (Director of Hair Profile) introduced Napura’s CM|10 Colormix. It comprises several types of essential oils that encourage the safe application of color and reduces the aggressive effect of coloring substances. The particular calming properties of the essences used mitigate the itch sensation and improve the welfare of the skin throughout the exposure time, preventing irritations and redness. In fact, regular use during coloring may help to prevent scalp sensitivity! Kenji astounded me once again with his commitment to great service and quality. 🙂 Hair was dyed dark brown and adorned with golden streaks. Kenji hid the highlights underneath the hair so that they can only be seen when I flick it. Peekaboo! And now we welcome the pink wave! Kenji painstakingly picked out the gold highlights and painted them pink. To minimize hair loss due to scalp irritation or breakages, Kenji made sure the potential of Hydrogen (pH) level remained balanced by constantly spraying a Napura pH balancer on my scalp. According to him, dye jobs will elevate the pH of the scalp and hair, making them more alkaline. This may cause the hair cuticles to open, allowing bacteria to enter. The Napura pH balancer is an acidifying spray treatment and it will neutralize the scalp by contracting the cuticles, thus preventing fungi and bacteria from getting in. The process culminated with Napura’s K|10 Kera-Filler leave-on treatment that stabilizes hair colour and revitalizes its structure by protecting the capillary fiber in an optimal way. The silk proteins in the product ensure that hair stays shiny and vibrant for a long time. And I’m done! Kenji kept his promise – dark resplendent-looking tresses with hints of pink and of course without any compromise on the current length and texture. I thought it looks trendy and oozes class at the same time. Ingenious! Even the in-laws loved it! To maintain the glaze and color of the hair, Kenji gave me a bottle of Redken Color Extend Shampoo to take on the Europe trip. Well, he needed to ensure that I still kept my title as the ‘Wannabe Purveyor of Style‘ even when I was half way around the world. 😛 Also met the pretty Ginevi who was getting her hair makeover from Kenji too. According to Kenji, the pink hair only lasts three weeks so I decided to do a photoshoot with Honeyz Paint House to immortalize the look. 😛 I call this photo series – Monologue in Pink Enjoy! So if you’re looking to make a ‘hair-raising’ change, whether it be adding a smattering of pink highlights, experimenting with a new hair trend or trying on a celebrity hairstyle, look no further than here! Special Promo for Honeyz Belles! Quote ‘Honeyz‘ and enjoy 15% off all chemical treatments and a professional hair consultation with Kenji (strictly by appointment only). Hair Profile Salon is located at 14 Scotts Road Far East Plaza #01-91. Contact them at +65 6838 1811/ +65 6737 7617 for your hair appointments. For more info on their latest services, hair tips and promotions, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HairProfileSalonSG On top of this juicy promotion, Hair Profile is also giving away hair packages (worth SGD290)! Here’s how you can win! Step 1: Access the lucky draw via this link ( http://bit.ly/169cUAG ). Step 2: Fill in your particulars in the form fields and click on the green ‘Enter’ button in the bottom right-hand corner. Step 3: Click on the ‘share’ button in the pop-up box to increase your chances of winning! BONUS Step: Once you’ve submitted your entry, you can go back into the lucky draw ( http://bit.ly/169cUAG ) to increase your chances of winning by inviting your friends via sharing on your wall, sending invite requests to your friends and sharing on Twitter! Good luck belles! Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products and services were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #SalonReview #HairSalon #beautyreview #beauty #HairProfile
- A Small Surprise For My Big-Hearted Husband
A true love story never ends. Belles and beaus, we’ve come to the last anecdote of our Toast and Cheers wedding series. I had a lot of fun sharing my journey down the aisle with you. I hope you had a great time toasting and cheering with me this past year too. 🙂 This final chapter is going to be pretty interesting as it basically documents how I hid a ginormous secret from my husband-to-be right before our big day. Gulp! If you’ve been following my wedding journey, you would know that three years ago, Bobby totally surprised me when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was feeling all kinds of emotions at that juncture as we had never talked about getting married or starting a family. So I really appreciate how we did things on our own terms. It felt much more organic and natural for me. Even though the proposal was eons ago, watching the proposal video still gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Three years on, I’m still very touched by this unexpected yet thoughtful and delightful surprise. Bobby didn’t have to do something so special, but I’m so glad that he did. So! I decided to return the favour on our wedding day. *wink* The Plan The proposal was such a monumental moment in my life that I kept replaying it in my mind over and over again, I didn’t want to forget any of it. 😛 Bobby had even continued to propose to me every night so I could relive that significant moment every single day. And every time, I would reply him with I’ll marry nobody but you, Bobby . Wait! Don’t you think it kinda sounds like the lyrics of Nobody by Korean pop sensation, Wonder Girls? I want nobody nobody But You, I want nobody nobody But You, How can I be with another, I don’t want any other… 🎶 I thought so too. Lo and behold, this became the central element of my big surprise for Bobby. I began to devise a plan to slot in a secret dance performance in the midst of our already tight wedding schedule. 👯 The Song I didn’t want to perform to one track only so I also started looking for other songs. Since it was a Disney themed wedding, I thought I could mash this song with songs that mention fairytale characters such as Christina Aguilera’s Genie In A Bottle. Get it, Genie ? Hehe… While searching for the song on Youtube, I chanced upon this other song that features the Genie. It’s a Korean song aptly called Genie by Girls’ Generation (SNSD). I thought it sounded quite catchy. And of course, Youtube being Youtube, it also introduced me to other SNSD songs and mercilessly transported me into the world of Korean pop. I was enthralled. Their songs are all so dance-inducing! Haha! The routine in the music videos were also more family friendly than the western dance tracks that I’d shortlisted. So it was goodbye Hollywood and anyohaseyo Korea! Yep. I decided to use only Korean songs in my performance. 😁 There are so many great SNSD numbers, so I had a pretty hard time selecting the songs I wanted in my mash up. My best friend, Ash, insisted we include I Got A Boy as the routine looked pretty badass. Haha! And before we knew it, it was added to my GarageBand list. And now we need one more song with a slower pace to conclude our routine. I chose You and I by Park Bom. It has an amazing chorus. I heard it many years ago when I was in a cab in Seoul. The chorus just stuck in my head to this today. It goes like this: You and I together, It just feels so right… 🎶 Haha! Feels pretty right eh? And there you go! My final dance track remixed in less than 20 minutes! It received my bridesmaids’ stamp of approval too! Yay! Now on to the next task! The Dance This was the trickiest part. The only time I had choreographed dance sequences was when I was in secondary school for Teachers’ Day performances. It’s been more than 10 years and I think I’m a little rusty at it now. Well, the secret dance had to be perfect so I started scouting for professional dance instructors to help us with our sequence. The quotations given were in the thousands and to top it off, I needed to add extra bucks for studio rental. This was so going to kill my stringent budget. 🙁 My bridesmaid, Tiffany, suggested we can save precious moolah by just practicing with Youtube videos. She then went on to compile a list of dance tutorials for our routine. Kudos to Tiffany! She also recommended SCAPE’s open space on the fourth level for our dance practices. To be honest, I never knew there was such a space. Haha! Tiffany saves the day! Being in an open studio space where everyone can see everyone gave us the opportunity meet and get a lot of inspiration from various master dancers. When we went up there, there were already several very talented dance groups practicing their routine, and totally slaying it. One time while practicing one of our dance numbers, a professional Korean dancer (who recognised our SNSD songs) approached us and graciously offered to help us improve our dance steps and hone our moves. Lady luck was certainly on my side. I received the best help I can ever get for my secret performance for Bobby. I’m eternally grateful to everyone! :* Anyway, here’s a sneak peek at one of our secret dance practices at SCAPE. :p The Outfit These are the people who went through all of life’s significant stages with me (including the most embarrassing ones), the BSB groupie days, adolescence, the heartbreaks, graduation, meeting the love of our lives and now, can’t believe we’re going to do this together! Erm… This can also probably be added to our already long list of embarrassing moments but they still went along with it! I can’t reiterate this enough but seriously, I have the best-est girlfriends in the world! 😀 Can’t let them look less than glamorous while doing it so it was time to find the perfect outfit for our show! These were some of the outfits we considered. Yeap. No kidding. Haha! We even wanted to wear matching Disney Princess tees! Haha! Erm… NO. After much contemplation, we decided to go for something more classy as our friends and family will be at the wedding. We don’t want them to remember us as a bunch of SNSD or princess wannabes. 😛 Then I chanced upon this on Esty. Eight letters – G O R G E O U S! I could make these for my bridesmaids and myself. We would still look coordinated yet tres chic! After some googling, I managed to find a local retailer who specialised in rhinestone decorating to help me bring the idea to life. Tadah! The final look! Paired the finished tee with a cute tutu and we were good to go. I also added every bridesmaid’s name decorated in gold studs on the bottom right of the tee. I thought this little addition would make the tee extra special and serve as a perfect memento of our hard work at the wedding. *teary smile* The Night Before The Wedding A few hours before the wedding, the girls were still helping me to pack our wedding favours. We also rehearsed our dance a few times that night. Aww.. my girls work so hard. We had a sleepless night. We literally texted till 5am as we were all super nervous about the dance in the evening. Eek! Even though these girls didnt’ sleep well that day, they were still very committed to making sure there is no dearth of fun activities at our ‘Fairytale-Gone-Wrong’ gatecrash mayhem! Haha! Scroll down for photos! The Wedding Day My gorgeous glamazons! Whoa? The dance is in a few hours? OMG… The Wedding Surprise Right after our wedding march in, Bobby took the opportunity to mingle with his buddies while I “touched up my makeup”. I wasn’t really touching up my makeup, I was changing into my dance outfit. 😛 This is it. Alright, here’s the plan. I slotted in a (fake) Maid Of Honour speech to take place after the first course of dinner was served. This is when Tiffany was going to give a long heartfelt speech. She literally prepared a long scroll to annoy our guests and Bobby. Then we brought the ‘annoyance’ to the next level when I “interrupted” her with a call and she was literally speaking to me with the mic on full blast and everyone listening. You can see Bobby looking less than impressed at this point. He told us after the wedding that he was going to go up to Tiffany and turn the mic off for her. Haha! We anticipated this actually so we made sure my brother, Seb stayed by Bobby’s side to make sure he didn’t do anything that could spoil his own surprise. Then I appeared on screen and on stage. His frown faded and a big grin ensued. 😀 I declare Operation Bridesmaids a success! Whee! Of course, we had to capture this special moment on film and here it is. The entire “debacle” in action. Haha! Then we celebrated the successful execution of my secret dance surprise for Bobby with this 90s band pose. Haha! And of course, a special shoutout to my baby bro who helped me coordinate the logistics of the secret dance at the wedding itself while juggling his final year exams. None of this was easy to pull off and he managed to do it all without breaking a sweat during the wedding. Thank you, Seb! I wuv you soooo muchie! I also need to thank our wedding planner and the restaurant for coordinating with me on this one. We did it. Yay! Like they always say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. All these months of preparation led to this – a big wide smile from Bobby. We knew this was well worth it when we saw how happy Bobby was at the wedding. 😀 This is how much you mean to all of us! We love you! <3 It’s a wrap! Let’s yum seng to that! Oh and remember that long yellow scroll that annoyed the hell out of everyone? It didn’t actually have Tiffany’s speech on it. Instead, it was filled with touching congratulatory messages from my dearest bridesmaids. 🙂 Again, I want to give a HUGE and special shoutout to my amazing bridesmaids, Ashlyn, Jo, Jeslyn, Tiffany and Alice for investing an enormous amount of your precious time to plan the Hens Night, gatecrash and practice the surprise dance for B. You even offered to pay for the limo! *sobs* Thank you for being so supportive all the way and making sure that everything is in keeping with my Disney theme. You are the best bridesmaids, friends and sisters! But! I regret to say that we’re no longer Best Friends Forever (BFFs). Because we’re now Best Family Forever! Love you all! Can’t believe I actually culminated my wedding series with a post on how I lied to my husband before the wedding day. Haha! And now, we moved on to the next stage of our lives – #Bobblianahome. Follow us on Dayre and Instagram for our renovation journey. Meanwhile, for more exclusive content on my Disney themed wedding or to receive the full gamut of privileges as Honeyz readers, like my Facebook Page at fb.com/ilovebunnynet or follow me on my Instagram ( @ilovebunnynet )! Have a magical day, belles! Your friend, Juliana #ToastandCheers #Wedding
- Bridal Beauty Log: Reaching for Disney Beauty Standards at SHOU Slimming Centre
A style and dress that embodies the essence of Disney princesses is easy to attain but their perfect anatomies? It’s Mission Impossible, for me at least. Disney Princesses always have this flawless silhouette that’s made up of thin demure shoulders, a slender neck, a narrow defined waist and perky boobs! The aforementioned features can probably be achieved with a good workout routine but fuller bosoms? That’s gonna be… a bit of a challenge. Just when I was pining and whining for a well-endowed hour glass figure, I received an invitation from SHOU Slimming Centre . Whee! It couldn’t be more timely. The guys at SHOU offered to help me pursue my ‘dream curve’ with their popular bust enhancement programs! Well, in life, you have to make hay while the sun shines so of course, I responded to their invitation with a resounding yes. Haha! Read on to find out if I realised my bridal beauty goals at SHOU! So what/who is SHOU? It’s an up-and-coming beauty salon that utilises state-of-the-art yet effective slimming treatments to help you shed those inches painlessly! SHOU revolutionizes body slimming with their safe and customised treatments that remove stubborn body fat without needles, incisions and no surprise, without recovery time. 🙂 The personalised slimming program also means they can target specific problem areas to help contour your body to perfection. Yay! No more muffin tops! And the best thing is – they do not encourage crash diets, invasive treatments or pill taking for good results. So you know you are in good hands when you visit SHOU to achieve your weight loss goals. And if you speak Chinese, you may have guessed that SHOU (or 瘦) also means slim in Chinese. And since it’s also the homophone of ‘show’, I know I’ll be able to sculpt my body to perfection by SHOWTIME – the wedding! Talk about mission emphasis! BUT! I’ll not be indulging in their body shaping services this time. Instead, I’ll be focusing on another ‘problem area’ to perfect my silhouette and that is – the bosom buddies. 🙂 Yup, on top of slimming remedies, SHOU also offers bust treatments to help lift, tone and firm the breasts. Before the therapists of SHOU made any recommendation, they thought they could give me a thorough consultation first. So I was led to one of their cozy treatment rooms that is designed with their customer’s comfort in mind; ambient music, soft lighting and warm spa linens. 😀 Most spas would either offer a towel or a draw string type of wrap for you to change into. I never like those as the towels tend to slip off a lot and the draw string? I don’t even wanna go there. SHOU took comfort to the next level by providing a soft elastic spa wrap for customers to wear during the treatment. See? It doesn’t slip or strangle my chest. 😛 I felt right at home! Haha! Later, they also covered me in a cushy blanket to make sure I felt warm and snug during the treatment. Abby of SHOU who’s also my personal therapist of the day, then began to examine the shape of my boobs as well as the distribution of fats. Honestly, this can be a pretty uneasy process for anyone as you’re exposing your body to someone else for a thorough analysis. However, Abby made sure I did not feel discomfort or even violated by constantly making sure that the rest of my body was covered during the reviewing process. And she would always politely say ‘excuse me’ before she touches my chest. Sometimes I even think that she’s too polite and would assure her that it’s ok. Modesty issues aside, Abby was also very friendly and caring so I felt like I could share all my beauty woes with her like my less endowed figure and underarm fats concerns. After a good 20 minutes discussion, Abby suggested employing their SoftLight Bra treatment to get rid of the dreaded armpit fat and to lift the bust. The SoftLight Bra treatment is a safe and non-invasive procedure where light of specific wavelengths is delivered to the skin to stimulate and activate cellular processes deep within the skin layers which increases the production of collagen and elastin. In other words, the treatment is performed using a form of light therapy (or photostimulation) which is notable for its high effectiveness with minimal adverse effects.According to Abby, some of the key advantages of this treatment include biostimulating properties that can firm and contour the breasts and also cellular regenerative abilities that heal damaged cells by accelerating the body’s own natural healing mechanisms.Sounds great to me. Alright, now let’s get started! Abby prepared my body for the treatment by opening the acupuncture points. And she did so by placing this device on my toes, back, chest and the mammilla. Then she began to massage my bust upwards with the device below for 30 minutes to lift and tone the saggy skin. Comfort level – 7 out of 10. I’ve been there at least four times now and the results are rather alarming. My underarm fat is visibly less prominent. It’s difficult to tell the difference like that. Let me illustrate it for you. 🙂 Now you see it eh? Yay! I can wear my strapless bridal dress in peace now and not worry about unsightly armpit fat bulging out. 😀 SHOU is constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve their treatments and upgrading their machines are one of those ways. The new machines provide more intensive treatments for more visible results. So in case you’re wondering why the machines used on you are different when you visit, well, this is why. 🙂 All in all, I enjoyed my time at SHOU. To be honest, good results weren’t immediate. It took a couple of treatments to see the differences but I love the relaxing experience and its lasting effects. I’ve always wore B-cup bras and recently, I find myself shopping for C-cup ones. Don’t get me wrong, the treatment hasn’t elevated my bust size invasively. What it did was merely shift the excess fat from the back and sides to my chest, giving my bosoms a more voluptuous look. It’s the most natural treatment to progressively increase the size of your breasts. Even though Abby did not apply any creams on me during the 50-minute treatment, my skin always feels silky smooth afterwards. It’s baffling why that happens but who cares? I’m loving everything about the treatment. I wasn’t expecting a gain in the bust area so 4.5 Honeyz crowns for their effective program. I’ve realised my ‘curvy dreams’! Thanks Abby! And of course, also thank you Helen for your kind invitation and warm hospitality! SHOU Slimming Centre is located at: Novena Square 238 Thomson Road #03-37/38 Singapore 307683 Tel: 6252 5822 One Raffles Place 1 Raffles Place #04-49/50 Singapore 048616 Tel: 65369388 Book your appointments via SMS: 8484 9533 Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm Guess what? SHOU‘s FB page is also like an encyclopedia of health and beauty information, like them at facebook.com/shouslimmingcentre now for your daily dose of wholesome vanity tips! Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products and services were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #beautyreview #beauty #SponsoredReview #BridalBeautyLog #SHOUSlimmngCentre
- CNY Vlog 2023
Get ready for the Year of the Rabbit with me in my latest vlog! 🐰🧧✨🍊🍊 With lotsa love, luck and cheer, Juliana
- NTUC Fairprice Says Hello Kitty!
かわいいですね Cute, isn't it? From the same talented folks who brought you the Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh collections last year, they are back in 'sakura' style, in the form of exclusive Hello Kitty household paraphernalia inspired by the ethereal cherry blossoms that bloom every Spring in Japan. Think cute mugs and teapots for morning juices (coffee and tea in my language 😜), bamboo handle serving sets, dishwasher-friendly dinnerware and and and! A limited edition Hello Kitty mahjong set that screams kawaii with its floral-themed tiles and glittery accessories. When I first unboxed this super cute mahjong set, it felt like my luck was gonna turn in this year of the Rabbit. I figure I might even have a chance against the grand champion, Ah Ma! Haha! 🀄️👵🏻 Let the celebrations begin! 🧨✨🍊🍊🧧 See the entire collection in action in my latest reel! The purchase-for-purchase limited edition Hello Kitty-themed Collection is now available exclusively through the NTUC FairPrice Loyalty Programme, where shoppers can collect 1 bonus point for every $30 spent in a single receipt for in-store purchases until 1st March 2023, while stocks last. For more information about this collection, visit NTUC FairPrice’s Store Loyalty Programme Redemption website at www.fairprice.com.sg/loyalty-programme So what do you think about the collection? Will you be heading down to NTUC to acquire one of these kawaii Hello Kitty items? Let me know in the comments below! Your friend, Juliana










